Pombo Lies About McNerney's Immigration Policy

I’ve been hearing stories over the last week about a Pombo flier that attacks Jerry McNerney’s immigration policy. Let me start by saying this: if you have a copy of this campaign literature, please send it to Matt, and we’ll get a copy of it up on this post ASAP. I have to admit that I’m at somewhat of a loss to comment on this mailer, not having seen it, but here’s what I’ve gleaned from the sidelines: The piece attacks McNerney’s immigration policy, and, from the many troll comments that I’ve seen in the last few days, it alleges that he supports illegal immigration, supports medical and Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants, and supports allowing illegal immigrants to vote.

Lies. All lies.

First and foremost, if you go to Jerry McNerney’s website, you’ll see this immigration policy, which has been posted unchanged for several months:

The problem with our immigration policy is that the Federal government doesn't have one. For too long our government has failed to secure our borders, allowing easy access for illegal immigration, and having little to no enforcement at the workplace. No wonder people are frustrated and demanding action.

I support a comprehensive solution to our immigration policy that fixes our country's broken immigration system. That means securing our borders and making America safer while at the same time promoting an earned path to citizenship for hard working immigrants.

We must not create a fugitive class of people in this country, but citizenship isn't something to be doled out easily. That is why I support the bipartisan McCain/Kennedy immigration reform plan, the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act, which:

Establishes an earned path to citizenship. It allows incentives for undocumented immigrants already here, working, and contributing to our nation. It allows those who live in the shadows to register, pay a fine, learn English, resolve back taxes, and continue to work hard as a means of eventually earning permanent residency.

Creates smart and secure borders (a homeland security necessity).

Toughens penalties for employers who illegally employ undocumented workers and enhances worker protections.

Helps and invests in local communities that bear the burden of illegal immigration.

To truly stem the flow of people, we need to pursue policies that help alleviate poverty south of the border so people have less incentive to cross our borders. One such policy to pursue is to renegotiate trade agreements to include fair trade provisions that protect workers on both sides of the border equally and raise living standards.

So here’s the deal. Pombo has no immigration policy. If you look at his website and then study his positions, you’ll see that his response is to offer trite axioms and then tell various groups what he thinks they want to hear at any given moment. That’s it.

The real truth is that in America today, we do not have an illegal immigrant problem; we have an illegal employment problem. If there were no employers eager to exploit undocumented workers — big surprise, the workers wouldn’t be here! It’s just that simple. No jobs, no undocumented workers. Instead of punishing those unfortunates who seek to better their lots in life, why not punish those who seek to exploit them? You know, like the members of the Farm Bureau, those ardent Pombo supporters.

You see, they want to have it both ways. If immigrants were allowed to enter this country easily and legally, they would join with their American compatriots and demand decent wages and working conditions. But by subjugating their workers to the threat of deportation or, under H.R. 4437 which Pombo supported, the threat of felony charges, illegal employers silence the voices of migrant workers. It’s the 21st century version of involuntary servitude.

And it’s brought to you by Congressman Richard Pombo.

Jerry McNerney seeks to end this cycle by securing our borders and offering a straightforward path to those who seek to immigrate legally. And for that, he’s attacked by Richard Pombo.

This is a classic Karl Rove tactic: Attack your opponent on the very issue on which you are weakest. Pombo is supported by those illegal employers who have the most to gain by supporting the status quo on immigration; Pombo has no serious immigration policy that goes beyond mouthing tired platitudes; Pombo has flip-flopped like a dead fish on immigration issues. So, using Rovian logic, what could be more natural than to attack Jerry McNerney on immigration?

[UPDATE:] Hat tip to Progressive 11th blog for providing images of the brochure:

Tags: CA-11, Richard Pombo, Jerry McNerney, H.R. 4437, immigration, illegal immigration, lies, swiftboating