DREAM Act critic moving to position of power

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DREAM critic moving to position of power

GOP's Smith is interested in the enforcement of existing laws

By GARY MARTIN

WASHINGTON BUREAU

Jan. 2, 2011, 7:07PM

WASHINGTON — In the waning days of the lame duck Congress, when Democrats clamored for a citizenship bill for young, illegal immigrants who want to go to college or join the military, Texas Rep. Lamar Smith led conservative opposition and called the DREAM Act an "American nightmare."

The charge inflamed the left and brought harsh criticism of the San Antonio Republican, who said his remarks were born of conviction.

"As far as I am concerned, I am acting on the best interest of Americans," Smith said unapologetically. "Because we disagree, I'm sure my name is taken in vain sometimes."

As a member of the House minority for the past four years, Smith's views were often ignored. But not anymore. When Republicans take control of the House of Representatives this month, Smith will become the GOP point person on immigration as chairman of the powerful Judiciary Committee.

As chairman, Smith says he will shelve comprehensive immigration reform proposals sought by Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush and work instead to ensure enforcement of current immigration laws by the Obama administration.

Smith, 63, says his views about immigration and border security are shaped by his election to Congress in the 21st Congressional District of Texas, which once included the Trans-Pecos region and Big Bend National Park.

"I represented 400 shared miles of border with Mexico, and that tends to get your attention fairly quickly," Smith said in an interview from his expansive office that overlooks the U.S. Capitol.

Listening to concerns of ranchers, he saw firsthand the smuggling of drugs and people through the porous border.

Power of subpoena

But Smith also represents San Antonio, where powerful interests seek immigration reform the congressman opposes.

Smith's polarizing place in the U.S. immigration debate is not new. He was shepherd to controversial legislation in 1996 that streamlined procedures to deport illegal immigrants.

This year, Smith will shape immigration policy.

Immigration reform activists, like Frank Sharry with America's Voice, say prospects for legislation they favor will face "impossible odds given the lurch to the right of the House of Representatives."

The new conservative tilt in Congress could have an impact on other issues as well. A frequent critic of Obama, Smith will have oversight and subpoena power to investigate how the administration has enforced laws.

"I believe in vigorous oversight, but it's not going to be antagonistic oversight unless the administration chooses not to cooperate," Smith said.

So far the signs of cooperation are encouraging.

Attorney General Eric Holder and Smith attended a Washington Redskins football game, and they lunched together to discuss issues.

"We obviously have different perspectives on a number of things, but I'm hopeful that the interaction I have with him and with the committee, that we respect the positions each other has taken," Holder said.

Smith agreed: "We are off to a good start."

And House Speaker-elect John Boehner has made it clear that he trusts Smith to handle the politically sensitivity issues facing his committee.

"Lamar has been a strong leader on important issues facing the American people," said Boehner, R-Ohio.

Born into a San Antonio ranching family, Smith burnished his conservative credentials early. He graduated from high school at Texas Military Institute, now called TMI: The Episcopal School of Texas.

Smith is a Christian Scientist. He received an undergraduate degree from Yale University, was a business writer at the Christian Science Monitor and earned a law degree at Southern Methodist University.

Smith has served 12 terms in the "Hill Country" congressional district now anchored by San Antonio and Austin.

'The right man'

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, Smith's first congressional campaign manager, said Smith is "the right man" for the chairmanship.

"What you see is what you get with Lamar," Straus said in a telephone interview from Austin. "I see Lamar as principled and humbled, and he's widely respected by his colleagues in both parties."

Democratic colleagues question Smith's statements, particularly the remarks on the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act. The DREAM Act would have made eligible for citizenship immigrants who were brought to the country illegally before age 16 and served in the military or went to college for two years.

If the so-called DREAMers met all the requirements for eventual citizenship, they would be awarded conditional residency for a period of 10 years, during which they had to complete the college or military service requirements and stay out of trouble.

After becoming a permanent resident, an applicant would have to wait an additional three years before applying for citizenship.

Once U.S. citizens - which could be 15 to 20 years after they first applied under the act - DREAMers could petition for parents or siblings to gain legal status.

Smith said provisions were susceptible to fraud and chain migration and gave protected status to illegal immigrants competing with legal immigrants and citizens for jobs.

"It is extreme rhetoric than can be a danger, because extreme rhetoric can become policy. That is what I fear," said Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-San Antonio, chairman-elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

"It's not rhetoric. It's actual and defensible," Smith said.

Although the House passed the bill, it died in the Senate.

Smith's other priorities include creating an intellectual property subcommittee, a crackdown on frivolous lawsuits and curbing child pornography on the Internet.

He acknowledged that none of those issues are as emotional as immigration, but he admits that some of the criticism of him is stinging.

"I don't impugn anybody else's personal integrity for the positions they hold, and I expect the same," Smith said.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7362777.html

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

"interested in the enforcement of existing immigration laws"

Why does this racist Nazi hate brown people?

[peejay 327]

"interested in the enforcement of existing immigration laws"

Why does this racist Nazi hate brown people?

He probably joined the Nazi party while at Yale.