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DeeDee Garcia Blase

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The Changing Tide on Immigration with Help from the Utah Compact

Posted: 11/13/11 10:09 AM ET

I am an immigration advocate.

I left the Republican Party because I felt betrayed with their continued inaction on legal immigration reform and was tired of the attacks from the far right in which Conservative websites falsely accused me of being for open borders. I have also been called a "RINO" or "Republican in Name Only" due to my strong pro immigrant views. For the record: I do think it is important to document and know who is coming in and out of our country. I'm a veteran and know and understand the importance of our national security.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) Community and Conservatives were instrumental in overthrowing one of their own. In fact, approximately half of the Arizona State legislature consists of members of the LDS church. Mormon members like Daryl Williams are a big reason why Russell Pearce, (one of their own) was ousted from one of the most powerful Senate seat positions in the State of Arizona. It took bold courage from the likes of Mr. Williams to give a trial-like presentation that won over several hearts and minds of Mormon leaders due to the FIRESIDE ON IMMIGRATION discussions we held that eventually sparked a fire towards human compassion in our State of Arizona that implemented the first harsh anti-immigrant law in the country..

Members of the LDS community endorsed The Utah Compact, a set of principles supporting a healthy discussion on immigration. The Utah Compact received broad support from Catholic Church and the business community, however, we have not seen strong leadership from "white evangelical" leaders, yet, and am afraid the likes of Pat Buchanan could a reason for the lack of progress to this nature. We used the Utah Compact as a tool in Arizona to remind the Mormons of Mesa what the Church stance was on immigration, and this was a strong reason on how and why Mormons kicked out one of their own and promoted a more compassionate politician via Jerry Lewis. The 7th operating Temple is located in Russell Pearce's district where for many years, the Mesa Arizona Temple was known as the "Lamanite Temple." It was also the destination of annual temple excursions for Hispanic and Native American members of the Church, especially the Mexican Saints.

We attribute the Special Elections and win of Jerry Lewis after the recall of Russell Pearce to broad bipartisan support (with no help from the Tea Party Republicans). Solving the broken immigration system must have the support from both the Democrats as well as the Republicans.

The Tequila Party is a non-partisan effort that promotes pro immigrant friendly politicians, a strong Latino get out the vote effort, and serves as a Latina counter movement to the Tea Party. The National Tequila Party will now take the reigns of the National COMPACT WITH AMERICA Program since this will have to be the work of a broad coalition from diverse backgrounds that includes Democrats, Republicans, Independents and Libertarians. The DREAM Act vote of December 2010 is indicative and is proof that not just one party can pull off legal immigration reform because we need party leaders from both sides to step up to the plate. The National Tequila Party (which is non-partisan) must pick up the reigns to bring all political backgrounds into the fold in working to solve the broken immigration system while providing political covering for all politicians who are willing to help solve issue.

With the full help and commitment of Daryl Williams (key ally to the National Tequila Party Movement), we will continue to change the tide on immigration since the downfall of Russell Pearce when Jerry Lewis won the Special Elections. A moderate Republican beat an extremist Republican here in the State of Arizona and I am being blamed for playing the "Mormon Card." Nothing could be further from the truth because it was Utah and Mormon leadership that has pioneered our nation in the right direction and all I did was help to inform the Mormons and Conservatives in Mesa, Arizona.

Below is a video of Daryl Williams who is fully committed to us change the immigration tide in the lessons we learned in Arizona with regard the Recall Russell Pearce and Jerry Lewis elections. We will use Arizona as a model for what the Tequila Party will do with the course of our nation. Immigrants make America great. The arc of justice will continue to bend on the side of the weak, the poor and the defenseless.


 

Follow DeeDee Garcia Blase on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thetequilaparty

 
 
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06:10 PM on 11/17/2011
You're right, immigrants have made America great. ILLEGAL immigrants however, have had just the opposite effect. Pierce got beat for 2 reasons, his involvement with political corruption and scandals and the amount of money from outside sources thrown at the recall election. You will notice that the Mormons replaced Pierce with another mormon. Don't want to relinquish any power, but the worse thing any mormon in public office can do is draw unwanted attention to "the church." Which is why Pierce is gone. Nothing more high minded than that and certainly nothing illustrating a change of direction with regard to the overwhelming support of sb 1070 by Arizona residents.
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hrpmap
Retired man still active..
02:53 AM on 11/16/2011
http://one-simple-idea.com/CrimeVictimsOfIllegalAliens1.htm Legal vetted immigrants=good. Illigal immigration=bad. Where will the jusice come from for these Americans??
04:12 PM on 11/17/2011
hrpmap?

So you are saying Persecute 12 million innocent "humans" for the act of a few Criminals, rather than seek Deserved Justice for the Real Criminals?

Lets rip apart tens of thousands of Good Family Units, lets Deport/Dump Hundreds of thousands of "Human Beings" to their Deaths in to the Middle of a known "Drug War" at the Harsh U.S. Mexico Border where over forty-two thousand Hispanics now lie dead, since the start of the 2008 I.C.E. Deportations?


Remember the America of Good, and Brotherhood?

The America where you were tried for your Crimes, not those of others?

To: Good.
03:46 AM on 11/15/2011
Beware of the Mormon Church - Exposed http://www.squidoo.com/mormon-church
08:17 PM on 11/14/2011
Whether it's the LDS or the Catholic church, it's a market share play. They are looking for new church members. They should butt out. This is a matter of law and national sovereignty.
08:56 AM on 11/15/2011
It is a matter of "Human Rights".

Over Forty-two thousand Hispanics now lie Dead in the Harsh Desert at the U.S. Mexico Border, at the exact locations that I.C.E. Deported/Dumped Hundreds of thousands into a known "Drug War" with nothing, not even water, to be killed, or to die of exposure.

Thousands of our own Citizen Children no longer have Parents.

We need to Butt in!
03:26 PM on 11/15/2011
A desert is a dry ocean, a natural barrier, a place where people die of thirst instead of drowning. There is no "Human Right" to invade another country -- for any reason. Dying is what happens when you do it through a particularly nasty place.

These "citizen children" are a travesty of ill considered application of the 14th Amendment that was put in place solely to answer questions related to the children of black slaves, not people who illegally entered the country or were passing through as tourists. And deported parents who don't take their kids with them are beyond contempt.
08:44 AM on 11/17/2011
Kurfco?

You can spin and twist any way you want to,


Real Americans can not be a Party to Mass Killings of Innocent "Humans" who's only crime was the Misdameanor of Comming to "The Greatest Country on Earth". the only way Poor People are able to.

The Deported are not allowed to take their Children to be Dumped to their deaths with them.

America would not Dump Dogs into a known "Drug War", in a Harsh Desert with out even water.

I am sure Germany , and the S.S. thought they were right in their Mass extermination of Jews, as well.

We are Americans, remember Good, and Brotherhood?

Remember before the January 2008 start of the I.C.E. Deportations when America was still Prosperous, and Good?

Remember the "Super Power" called America, that was a "Global Force For Good"?

Remember America?


Keep spinning, and enjoy "The Worst Recession in U.S. History."


The Deportations are 100% Responsible.

This is America's Darkest Hour!
08:10 PM on 11/14/2011
I am pro immigration, pro-immigration of those I want to immigrate, who my laws say can immigrate legally. I am adamantly opposed to anything that confers legality on the current crop of illegal immigrants -- also known as amnesty -- because we will never again have a functioning immigration system if we reward scofflaws with citizenship.
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Contact1972
BigGayInc
02:02 AM on 11/15/2011
We need a much more modern immigration system.
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spytheweb
Black Democrat
12:38 AM on 11/16/2011
One million immigrants into the country a year is not enough? How about any enforcement?
09:45 AM on 11/14/2011
I always find it odd that a country founded my immigrants can be so against immigrants. Do all these white people really think their ancestors DIDN'T come from Europe???
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Viper1st
multi quasi faceted
10:50 AM on 11/14/2011
Do you think the U.S. Economy, may have something to do with it?

U.S. Unemployment Rate at 8.8%+ for the past consecutive 30 months = 14 million U.S. Citizens out of work. Trying to feed, clothe, shelter & educate THEIR Children with NO JOBS?

While ~ 11.2 million illegals are SCABBING U.S. Jobs for half-price wages?

Just a thought . . . . . . . .
01:23 PM on 11/14/2011
The U.S. Economy has Crashed as a direct result of the start of the January 2008 I.C.E. Deportation Program.

The tens of thousands of vacated dwellings triggered/caused the "Foreclosure Crisis."

The Hard fact , and now obvious Reality is that the Hard Labor Immigrants gladly did for America was the very Foundation of our Strong Economy!

This Hard (not chear), Hard Labor supported all other American jobs!

Before the I.C.E. Deportations began in January 2008 The un-employment rate was Far Better.

The Deportation of America's Hardest Most Devoted "Human' Workers is absolutely why Millions of Americans are now Out of Work!

Look at the Facts: Snake1st.

"Just a Thought?"
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TggerJen
Protect at snowleopard.org
11:37 AM on 11/14/2011
This country is NOT 'against immigrants' in any way, shape or form. We have the most liberal immigration policy in the world. We admit more immigrants, issue more student and work visas, and naturalize more citizens each and every year than any other nation on the planet.

What we're trying to control, in our own best interests (which is entirely appropriate), is the presence of dishonest foreign nationals who break the laws to come/stay here illegally. We have a tradition as a nation of laws, and live by the rule of law. That's a foundation of safety, stability and security for all of us, and it's important for our stability as a nation and society to protect that.

It's fatuous (and not very honest) to bring race into this at any level; it's about who is here illegally and breaking our laws, and that's all it's about. We're responsible to enforce our very fair and appropriate immigration laws just as we are responsible to enforce our civil rights laws and laws against violent crimes.

The people who experience the most negative effects from illegal aliens here are the working poor, and those who are unskilled or low-skilled workers. It hits them hardest as they are the ones who are most often forced to compete for those jobs, and they get undercut by people willing to work illegally for very low wages and sometimes in dangerous conditions. That illegal competition directly impacts the ability of some Americans to earn a living wage in their own nation and their ability to provide for their families. Their children are more likely to be the ones sitting in overcrowded classrooms with overworked teachers too. The American working poor and those who do manual, low-skilled jobs (a segment of the workforce that is disproportionately minority) deserve to have safety, stability, and security just like everyone else and they deserve to be able to get a job at a living wage in their own nation. Their children deserve a quality public education and we owe that to them.

None of the legislation or the efforts has anything to do with legal immigration or race at all. We're working to control an illegal and damaging aspect that currently has very negative effects on the people who are the poorest and have the least power and which affects all of us in indirect ways as our tax base is eroded and our services are overwhelmed by dishonest people who came/stayed here illegally to freeload off our economy and social services.  The illegal aliens are not victims - they are the perpetrators. The American people deserve enforcement of our laws and it's long overdue.
01:27 PM on 11/14/2011
Since the January 2008 stsrt of the I.C.E. Deportations, and "The January 2008 start of "The Worst Recession in U.S. History", the Middle Class has been dropped down to the now "American Working Poor"

It is all related!

Wake up America.
08:52 AM on 11/14/2011
True "Latter day Saints " will stand up for the cause of "Right", and be counted.

The rightous will join the "Tequila Party's efforts, how ever they will be "The Postum Party."

No True American could support the Persecution that has occurred to Hispanic Immigrants, and their legal Citizen Children/Families, since the January 2008 start of the I.C.E. Deportation/Incarceration Programs, and "The Worst Recession in U.S. History."


C.T.R

W.W.J.D?
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hrpmap
Retired man still active..
03:15 AM on 11/16/2011
The US isn't to blame for any family problems of the offspring of illegals, their parents are, they put their futures in jeapardy, not the Americans.
02:18 AM on 11/14/2011
I am an American advocate.

I left the Democratic Party because I felt betrayed with their continued inaction on illegal immigration eradication and was tired of the attacks from the radical left in which ethno-centric chauvinists falsely accused me of being a racist know-nothing. I have also been called a capitalist patriot due to my strong pro sovereignty views. For the record: I do think it is important to employ American citizens, protect our environment and finite resources, and provided good schools and hospitals for our tax-paying citizenry. I'm an employed voter and know and understand the importance of our national security.
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TggerJen
Protect at snowleopard.org
11:52 AM on 11/14/2011
Marvelous comment!! Fanned and Faved BIG!! As an independent voter who makes decisions based on the data and the merits, I tended to lean left but no more. I don't understand how the Dems can ignore the negative impact to our environment, the destructive effects on our public schools, the erosion of our tax base, and the damage done to families of the working poor (low-skilled and unskilled workers) who are forced to compete with illegal labor for increasingly lower and lower wages.

How are the Dems planning to pay for all the things they want to do after they've damaged the tax base so severely? How do they plan to get anyone to support those things after they've damaged our national identity? I'm more than willing to support and pay for those Americans among us who need help, but I also know that forcing people to pay for illegal aliens undermines our social contract and may undermine our willingness to continue programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and food stamps. We never had those programs or much of a public education system until AFTER we developed a strong national identity.

By attacking the idea of nationalism and portraying it as ignorant and negative, they run a very grave risk of undermining our shared identity in all other ways as well. It reminds me of the damage the Repubs did by portraying 'protection' and 'protectionism' as something ignorant, bad and damaging when it only makes sense for us to protect our good jobs, solid tax base, and middle class. Protectionism is honest, good and necessary and we're worse off now than when we protected our factory jobs, manufacturing capability, and strong middle class. We did some marvelous things with that tax base we had then.

We're a nation of laws, we believe in the rule of law, and no one is above the law. Americans are routinely subject to enforcement of our laws. Our immigration laws are extremely reasonable and we have the most liberal immigration policy in the world. How can even one reasonable, rational, and intellectually honest American ever argue that dishonest foreign nationals deserve somehow to be above the law and immune to basic, routine, and humane enforcement of our laws?
12:23 AM on 11/14/2011
It's weird that there's no jobs,I was an illegal I worked,got my papers through the amnesty ,I worked. ,im a citizen now,Im working . economical crisis I got 2 jobs now,and most of my co workers got 2 jobs,I don't get it!!unles you want a triple digit job.
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Emma2011
06:22 PM on 11/13/2011
Romney has already shot himself in the foot by opposing the Dream Act and in-state tuition. Latinos and other immigrants will remember that at the polls in 2012. GOP's only hope is to pass immigration reform including broad legalization before 2012 and get the immigration issue off the agenda.
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Viper1st
multi quasi faceted
07:54 PM on 11/13/2011
The DREAM Act ~ failed passage 7 times over the last 10 years. Evidence, The DREAM Act is NOT resonating with the U.S. Taxpayer, nor Congress

In-state tuition ~ passed by 13 State Legislatures of 50 State Legislatures. One of the 13 States, is now in process of a repeal initiative

Historic record high of Latinos voting is 9 million voters ~ Historically, 67% vote Democrat ~ Historically 31% vote Republican

Therefore, 31% of 9 million Latino voters, cancel each other out ~ leaving 36% of the 9 million (3.24 million) Latino voters to sway an election ~ hardly a Power Voting Block
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Viper1st
multi quasi faceted
08:16 PM on 11/13/2011
PEWHispanic.org ~ 21 million eligible Latino voters of 208 million eligible voters in the USA
04:41 PM on 11/13/2011
The problems is that while some are hardworking, they are unskilled and uneducated. We cannot support a family on minimum wages...they cannot either without two of three families crowding in a two bedroom apartment. They abuse section 8, do not contribute to school costs and get health care free. I do not use Latino labor for fear they are illegals. Giving them amnesty will only give them more welfare. Who is going to pay for them...all the out of work Americans whos' jobs they took?
05:51 PM on 11/13/2011
The real Problem is:
They supported you, Immigrants Hard Labor was the Foundation of our once Strong Economy.

Our Economy Tanked at the Exact same time that we began Deporting Good, Hard Working "Human Beings" from their Legal Citizen Children, and Families.

Their Hard Labor contributed Far more to our Economy than they ever took, yet they were glad to Labor Hard in hopes of someday becoming an America Citizen.

Yes their lives were hard, but They had a "Dream".

Yes they were underpaid, and needed a little help, however The un-beleivable Hard Labor they did for America more than carried their load!

"I do not use Latino Labor for fear they are illegals".

Do you realize how Racist it is to even make this statement?

We need to remember what America is all about.

"All of the out of work Americans who's job they took".

Before we began Deporting Hard Working Immigrants Jobs were plentiful!

Fact: For every Hard working Immigrant Deported since January 2008 America has lost over four times as many jobs!

Every Stimulus, Bail Out, Cash for Clunkers, Home Mortgage Program, Automotive Bail Out, Bank Bail Out, Stimulus, Ect. by two Presidents now, has occurred since the January 2008 start of the Deportations, and has only been "Treating the Symptoms" of the Deportation Damage to America.

Wake up America.

Before the January Start of the I.C.E. Deportations Americas Economy was Great.

This is our I.C.E.'d Economy!
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markspence
10:20 PM on 11/13/2011
The illegals left because our economy tanked, not the other way around.
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ugly american
"I drank what?"- Last words of Socrates
04:09 PM on 11/13/2011
The major problem we have in this country with immigration is that other nations and their citizens don't want to respect our laws and borders. The problem has never been legal immigrants (although with unemployment as high HB visas should be limited). America lets in more than one million people a year and a majority of those are from Mexico.
Other nations and their people don't believe the US should have immigration laws and feel free to interfere in our domestic affairs. Mexico and 15 other foreign nations are suing South Carolina, a US state, for a law that can only enforced in it's borders, because it negatively impacts their citizen's rights to ignore American laws.
Considering the immigration laws of their nations, doesn't that sound a bit suspect on their motives?
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Emma2011
02:06 PM on 11/13/2011
Immigration hardliners should take notice of Russell Pearce's demise. You will be targeted and voted into oblivion, or you can step up to the plate now and help pass immigration reform including legalization.
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Viper1st
multi quasi faceted
02:51 PM on 11/13/2011
Don't you mean ~ illegal immigration hardliners

Since ~ 1 million foreign nationals have become legal U.S. immigrants each & every year since 2001?
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Viper1st
multi quasi faceted
02:54 PM on 11/13/2011
Does this mean ~ BHO is going be targeted and voted into oblivion?

Talk about immigration hardliners ~

BHO is deporting record-breaking numbers of illegals ~ 1 illegal every 79 seconds of every hour, of every day, of every week, of every month of his 32-month presidency?

Can't get much "hardliner" than that
01:56 PM on 11/13/2011
Very good Article.

I hope with the Russell Pearce out of Office , and unable to further abuse his power to spread his Anti-Immigrant message, and Hatred ,that Good, and Brotherhood can once again prevail in America.

Fact; The "Worst Recession in U.S. History began at the exact same time as Pearce's E-verify Law and the I.C.E. Deportation Program in January 2008.

Since January 2008, for every good, hard working Immigrant Deported the U.S. has lost over four times as many jobs.

Tens of thousands of vacated Immigrants Dwellings triggered /Caused the "Foreclosure Crisis".

These vacated dwellings caused entire States to become instantly overbuilt, completely halting all private sector Construction/Growth, and has left these Economically devastated States with massive excesses of Total Government Services, and matching Budget Deficits.

The Federal Government has been "Bailing" the Excess Government Services for over three years now, we call this our New "National Deficit."

The Fact is that the Hard labor Immigrants used to gladly do for America was the Foundation of our once Strong Economy, and this Hard labor supported all other American jobs.

The Great President Ronald Reagan facing a similar National Deficit did two things, he lowered taxes, however most importantly he granted "Amnesty" to approx; three million good hard working Immigrants.

The following period was the most prosperous one in Total U.S. History, until the January 2008 Deportations began.

C.T.R.

Christians saying "No Amnesty"? W.W.J.D?
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Viper1st
multi quasi faceted
02:06 PM on 11/13/2011
What part of illegals in the USA ~ illegally, are unauthorized to work in the USA?

U.S.C. 8 § 1324a : US Code - Section 1324A: Unlawful employment of aliens

(a) Making employment of unauthorized aliens unlawful
(1) In general
It is unlawful for a person or other entity -
(A) to hire, or to recruit or refer for a fee, for employment
in the United States an alien knowing the alien is an
unauthorized alien (as defined in subsection (h)(3) of this
section) with respect to such employment, or
(B)(i) to hire for employment in the United States an
individual without complying with the requirements of
subsection (b) of this section or (ii) if the person or entity
is an agricultural association, agricultural employer, or farm
labor contractor (as defined in section 1802 of title 29), to
hire, or to recruit or refer for a fee, for employment in the
United States an individual without complying with the
requirements of subsection (b) of this section.
(2) Continuing employment
It is unlawful for a person or other entity, after hiring an
alien for employment in accordance with paragraph (1), to
continue to employ the alien in the United States knowing the
alien is (or has become) an unauthorized alien with respect to
such employment.
07:17 PM on 11/13/2011
"What Part of illegals in the U.S.A." Do you not understand Slither 1st?

It was a class five felony for Russell Pearce, his Brother, his two Nieces, Tea Party Officials, Mr.s Cortes (The Ringer Candidate.), and hundreds od Stellar Citizen Voters in LDS18 District Fraudulent Ballot Petition Signers, to Knowingly engage in the Electoral Rigging, and Manipulating Scheme that just occured in Russell Pearce's Recall Election!

Viper 1st you don't care about Felony Law Breakers do you?

These Criminals attacked America's entire Electoral, and Legal System!

To: Hypocrits, wanting to enforce only one Law, and not the rest of them.
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iuriggs6
Sure thing. Shoot, Timmy.
03:12 PM on 11/13/2011
"Anti-Immig­rant message," ???

No, it's anti-illegal immigrant, huge difference. Why is it so hard to understand the difference?
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Viper1st
multi quasi faceted
01:13 PM on 11/13/2011
The USA has had a pro-immgration policy since 2001

Since 2001, over 10 million foreign nationals have been granted legal "vetted" entry into the USA, on their "pathway" to Naturalized U.S. Citizenship, by the USCIS.

That's 1 million legal immigrants entering the USA "legally" each & every year, since 2001

"Vetted" by USCIS on four Criteria ~ for the Security of the Nation's legal U.S. Citizens

CRIMINAL Background Check
MEDICAL Background Check
EDUCATION Level, beneficial to the USA
SKILL Set, beneficial to the USA

1 million legal immigrants, Annually, pass the muster of Naturalized U.S. Citizenship ~ WANTING the benefits & rights of U.S. Citizenship

11.2 million 'illegal' immigrants, in the USA ~ illegally, just WANT the almighty U.S. DOLLAR

While ~ there are 14 million U.S. Citizens out of work in the USA ~ trying to feed, clothe, shelter & educate THEIR Children, with NO JOBS

ASININE to be allowing 1 million legal immigrants into the USA, Annually ~ adding to the existing U.S. Workforce that the U.S. Economy can not sustain