Yes, you may share my responses. 

On the subject of enforcement, I can only give you my opinion.  First, most city officials are so overloaded with normal "stuff'...they just don't have time/take the time to investigate options on matters normally reserved (by that, I mean traditionally reserved) by federal officials.  Illegal immigration enforcement is one of those.  Second, most city officials run from the threat of litigation.  It's expensive and time consuming.  Local officials have a much easier course of action--blame it on the Feds.  It has worked.  Third, a high percentage of local officials have liberal tendencies and while they may not be for "open borders", they sure act like they are. 

I'm cut a little differently.  It is probably the military in me.  I believe in the rule of law--and it was obvious to me that our country was under "attack" from a non-English speaking, unskilled, and largely uneducated population that did not respect our laws nor our values/traditions.  I saw the opportunity with 287(g) and sought it.  I faced opposition from sympathetic groups, etc, but because 287(g) was a federal program, I thought "What the heck?  who can fault me for pusuring a program authorized by Congress?  And, if they sued me, what would it be for?"

I can't begin to tell you the pressure I got from a number of individuals and groups.  But my default setting was always back to this:

1.  Was it right (to ignore the laws of this country)?

2.  Was the program I was pursuing purposed in solving the dilemma--and was it litigation-proof?

3.  Would our city embrace it?

To our credit, even despite the efforts to shoot me down, our city was successful and it did not take very long (a few days) for Springdale and the Wash/Benton County Sheriff's offices to jump on.  Why?  To me, the answer was clear---because they knew illegals would leave Rogers and displace to their areas.  Simple.

You did not write to get a thesis on this subject.  But it is important for people to know the context of what I have done, why I have done it, and more than anything--that I have the courage to lead. 

This subject/issue is complicated for sure.  There's much more that could/should be done to protect our borders.  Honestly, there is likely no better time than now to reach some consensus on the way forward--given that 6 people are "looking" for every job that is open.  When unemployment is low and jobs are aplenty, rank and file Americans are not so predisposed to taking a stand.  Right now, it "ain't" that way.

All I want is a "seat at the table" when Congress takes this issue on.  As I said before, if we don't address it now, we'll be having this discussion again--and the problem will have grown.  America does not need that.

Steve

On Sun, Mar 7, 2010 at 6:51 PM, Joe and Barb M. <joeusa@cox.net> wrote:

Mayor,

Thank you so much for your studied reply.  Needless to say it is refreshing to ever hear a politician answer questions directly.

Would it be all right with you if I share this response with some other interested citizens?

Again, many thanks,

Joe

P.S.  Would you be so kind as to tell me why no officials cite or enforce federal immigration laws under 8 USC….aiding, abetting, transporting, hiring illegals a felony punishable by jail & fines, plus all law enforcement officers are authorized & obligated to arrest illegals and illegal employers???  No official has ever answered that question that I know of.

From: Steve Womack [mailto:womackforcongress@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 3:36 PM
To: joeusa@cox.net
Subject: Re: FW: Political position questions regarding your campaign for 3rd Congressional Dist.

Joe:

Sorry for the delay.  I know that you have been out of town and I trust your travels were safe.

In response to your questions, here are my answers:

1.  I am opposed to amnesty.

2.  I believe I have already enunciated a position on the "invasion" you describe--in leading by example.  I am the only candidate in the field with a proven record on the subject.  I championed the effort in Rogers--the first city in Arkansas--to seek affiliation and implement the 287(g) program in our local police department.  It has been a "model" program according to ICE leadership.  My understanding is that >1,000 criminal aliens have been deported as a result of this program.  I understand the impact of illegal immigration. As mayor, I have witnessed the impact on our public schools, health care, and the social infrastructure of a community.  When a Rogers Police Officer was nearly killed by an illegal immigrant, I sought solutions to the problem.  The 287(g) program was, in my judgment, the only legitimate way of addressing the situation without subjecting our city to almost certain expensive and timeless litigation like other American communities had endured.  And when the issue surfaced in public meetings, there were no senators, representatives, retired generals, or lawyers there defending me.  I had the courage to act on my own.  Fortunately, my City Council was fully supportive and over three years into the program, I believe the results speak for themselves.  In Congress, I will continue to demonstrate leadership on this issue. 

3.  I am not beholding to anyone.  My platform is based on conservative values for our nation.  I welcome support for those who wish to send me to Washington for that purpose.  I welcome your support.  As a pro-business conservative, I expect to receive financial support from business.  I believe my record of economic development in the City of Rogers ($1+ billion in development without raising taxes) will attract support from the business community.  I will work in Congress to advocate for legislation/initiatives that help create jobs for the American worker.  With six people unemployed for every job opening, I believe job creation is among our highest priorities as a nation.  Probably THE highest priority.

On the subject of illegal immigration, I will continue to demand:

1.  Our border is sealed. 

2.  The flow of benefits to illegal immigrants is stopped.

3.  Our Congress must work toward immigration reform.

If we do not accomplish the aforementioned, we will be having this discussion ten years from now and the scale of the issue will not be 12-20 million illegals, it will be 20-30 million or 30-40 million, etc.  Keeping the status quo is a victory for the "open borders" crowd, not you and me.  You mentioned the Eisenhower program of the 1950s.  My understanding is that this effort resulted in the deportation of 1 million =/- illegal immigrants.  The scale of the issue today is many times greater.  I am deeply concerned that this issue--if not now, certainly very soon--will be like the banks that were "too big to fail."  The issue will simply become "too large to fix." 

That is precisely why I am running for Congress.

All the best.

Steve Womack

On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 11:42 AM, Womack, Steve <swomack@rogersark.org> wrote:

From: Joe and Barb M. [mailto:joeusa@cox.net]
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 11:34 AM
To: Mayor@rogersarkansas.com
Subject: Political position questions regarding your campaign for 3rd Congressional Dist.

Rogers, Arkansas

Mayor Womack,                                                                           March 3, 2010

A question or so regarding your political positions. 

Without vacillation or disclaimers, I would like to know your very specific positions on the following: You are obviously very aware of 8 USC and its numerous subsections.

1.       If elected to congress will you vote for or against amnesty in any form for the estimated 25-35 million illegal Mexicans and OTM’s now nesting in our republic? 

It has been said that you do not believe deportation can be achieved.  I remind you that it was accomplished by President Eisenhower and looking at subsection 1324a of 8 USC, a few well placed arrests will terminate the illegal alien crisis.

2.       Are you going to enunciate in a specific manner your position regarding the illegal alien invasion and the huge costs placed on the backs of taxpaying citizens, eg. Education, health, legal, food, incarcerations, translators, ad infinitum.

3.      Are you in any way politically beholding to the Tyson’s, Walton’s, George’s, Simmons, OK Foods, et al?

Will look forward to hearing from you in the near term.

Kindest regards,

Joe McCutchen

Fort Smith

479-646-8261

www.arkansasfreedom.com 

Cc: Arkansas citizens

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