In a debate at Boetcher Auditorium on U.S. immigration law, Rep. Tom Tancredo (R., Colo.) blamed the immigration problems on the “broken” enforcement of immigration policy.

He outlined his four-point plan for immigration control, which includes securing the borders, establishing a genuine guest worker program and internal enforcement of immigration laws.

Tancredo debated law Professor Jeff Joseph.

Tancredo, who is chair of the Congressional Immigration Caucus, has reservation of President Bush’s recent proposal to amend immigration laws on the issue.

He disputed the president’s policy for amnesty for illegal residents.

“The president is looking to trade out his law abiding constituents for people that have blatantly disregarded those same laws to further their homelands agenda,” said Tancredo recently.

Joseph, who chairs the Colorado chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association, focused on other aspects of the immigration issue.

Primarily, he said the United States depends on an immigrant workforce.

He depicted the current immigrant workforce as “crucial” for the American economy.

Joseph said, “[The] enforcement policy of immigration is not in line with reality.”

Joseph said the two types of temporary work visas available to foreigners (H2-A and H2-B) are not suitable for the timeframes of some jobs such as those in construction.

Joseph criticized Bush’s immigration proposal for not giving incentive for illegal residents to register and become legal residents.

“The president’s proposal provides a solution for the temporary worker shortage, but fails to recognize that there are 9.3 million undocumented immigrants with long, deep family roots in our communities,” said Joseph.

Concerning the cultural significance of the flood of immigrants into the United States, Tancredo criticized the “cult of multiculturalism” and questioned the principle of “diversity [as] the one common goal.”

Joseph responded to this argument with, “America was founded by, created by and is run by a nation of immigrants.”

The debate was moderated by DU Vice Provost for Internationalization, Ved Nanda.

More information on both sides of the debate can be found at www.immigrationsissues.com and www.house.gov/tancredo/immigration.