Eye On Boise

Labrador fires back at Jorgenson

Posted by Betsy

Dec. 7, 2009 11:21 p.m. • 7 comments

Rep. Raul Labrador fired back at Sen. Mike Jorgenson’s criticisms of him on immigration, saying he’s working with Rep. Phil Hart on an immigration bill now that “would actually penalize employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens,” among other provisions. Jorgenson criticized Labrador for voting against SB 1157 in 2007, a successful bill sponsored by Sen. John McGee to require anyone receiving public benefits in Idaho to first prove legal residency; the bill passed the House on a 47-21 vote. “The problem with that bill was the report at the time was that it was not going to do anything, and it was going to cost the state money,” Labrador said. “The federal law already said that you cannot give benefits to illegal aliens. So it was a law that was not necessary.”

Jorgenson also said, “He has not been supportive on anything that would enforce immigration in the state of Idaho. … The fact that he represents and works for industries that are pro-amnesty is wrong.”

Labrador responded, “That’s the problem with Jorgenson right now, is that he has no clout in the Senate, he killed his own bill in his own committee by not knowing what the bill included, and then he blames other people for his ineptitude.” Labrador said Jorgenson wanted to require Idaho employers to use the “e-Verify” system to screen potential employees for legal residency, but “that’s a violation of the federal law, of the e-Verify law. The e-Verify says that you cannot use it for screening. … E-Verify is supposed to be once you hire an employee.”

Labrador said he thinks the dispute between the two lawmakers goes back to the fight over the gas tax in last year’s legislative session, when Labrador was an outspoken opponent of Gov. Butch Otter’s proposal to raise the tax to fund road work. “Jorgenson was one of the great supporters of the gas tax, and he was upset, very upset when we could not pass a gas tax in the House,” Labrador said. “And he and some of his friends had decided that this is the way to get back at me because he wanted to raise taxes in the middle of a recession and I would not support that.” Click below to read Jorgenson’s full press release calling on Labrador to withdraw from the congressional race.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Mike Jorgenson
December 7, 2009

Labrador Wrong For Idaho
Idaho Families Can’t Afford Raul’s Liberal Plans

Coeur d’Alene, ID – On Monday, Senator Mike Jorgenson (R-Hayden) called on Raul Labrador to withdraw from the 1st Congressional race.

“Raul Labrador is an immigration attorney and admits to defending illegal immigrants in his law practice. He has been on retainer as an immigration attorney to the Idaho industries that support a “free flow of labor across America’s sovereign borders” while at the same time serving as an Idaho State Representative. Labrador has defended individuals who have smuggled illegal immigrants into the United States and who have committed document fraud. He voted to give illegal immigrants Idaho taxpayer funded benefits, supported several Congressional bills that would grant the precious gift of citizenship to people who are residing in our country illegally and has fought to keep illegal immigrants in Idaho by refusing to support a bill with mandatory employment verification,” Jorgenson said. “His pro–illegal immigrant stances are wrong for Idaho taxpayers and Idaho’s unemployed.”

Jorgenson continued, “In this economy Idaho families can’t afford Labrador’s liberal plans. Illegal immigrants are costing Idaho taxpayers approximately $200 million per year–-more than the Idaho state budget deficit. Labrador will represent the industries in Idaho who rely on a constant flow of illegal aliens for their work force.”

“We need someone in Congress who will vote to uphold federal immigration law and deny any path to citizenship to those who have entered and resided in the United States and Idaho illegally. Raul Labrador will act against the will of the citizens of Idaho if elected at the expense of Idaho taxpayers and Idaho’s unemployed,” concluded Jorgenson.

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Seven comments on this post so far. Add yours!

tinybobidaho on December 08 at 8:47 a.m.
Labrador would be just another open borders politician who would vote in our U.S. Congress to give a pathway to citizenship, ie. amnesty for the illegal aliens in this country. A vote for Labrador is saying you support Obama and the Democrat controlled Congress on this issue.

What this press release doesn’t tell you, is that the smuggler, Javier SOTELO-Sotelo, who Labrador defended to keep from being deported, was wanted for murder in his own country, Mexico. Is this the kind of candidate we want representing Idaho in Washington, D.C., someone who would fight to keep an alleged murderer in Idaho? Labrador, who is currently supposed to be representing the Idaho people, has been representing groups who want an open border and a free flow of cheap labor coming in to line the pockets of big business. A little conflict of interest, I’d say.

Labrador is against the 80% of the idaho people who want something done about the illegals in this state, so why would they want him in a federal position to work against all of America? He says he supports enforcing the laws, but his actions say something else. He’s just another politician who talks out of both sides of his mouth, while representing citizens of foreign countries who are here illegally,
fortboise on December 08 at 9:38 a.m.
Betsy, are you familiar with what facts (if any) might support Jorgenson’s claim that “Illegal immigrants are costing Idaho taxpayers approximately $200 million per year”?
Brittanicus on December 08 at 9:42 a.m.
Next year Americans had better be on their guard against fraudulent voter registrations and the possibility of illegal immigrants voting in the 2010 Senate elections. Sen.Harry Reid (D-NV) comes up for re-election and if you didn’t know already, the great state of Nevada is overwhelmed by foreign nationals of the illegal kind. Be aware that under current voting law, a—UTILITY BILL— is officially identified as a legal document as identification in Nevada. In states that are heavily involved with illegal immigrants and the product of welfare fraud, Nevada and California specifically should be under the eye of the election authorities.

After the ACORN controversy these two Western states have very large apportionment s of political illegal immigrant sympathizers and—MUST—be removed from their career seats. Sen.Harry can be attributed to the near destruction of E-Verify, the federal verification program that a growing number of nationwide employers are beginning to use. As a pro-illegal immigrant incumbent he must be ejected from his Senatorial seat, because he is directly involved in the 2010 Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill.These are the worst of the worst with a grading of ( F ) - as according to NUMBERSUSA. They have been adamant conspirators against any immigration enforcement and readily agreeable with another BLANKET AMNESTY. WE NEED TO MAKE EXAMPLES OF THEM AND THROW THE IDIOTS OUT OF OFFICE NEXT YEAR? These individuals are just part of the political conspirators who don’t mind illegal aliens settling in our nation and stealing AMERICAN JOBS.
Bennet, Michael F. - (D - CO) ,Bennett, Robert F. - (R - UT),Dodd, Christopher J. - (D - CT),Feingold, Russell D. - (D - WI),Gillibrand, Kirsten E. - (D - NY),Inouye, Daniel K. - (D - HI),Leahy, Patrick J. - (D - VT),Lincoln, Blanche L. - (D - AR), Mikulski, Barbara A. - (D - MD), Murray, Patty - (D - WA), Reid, Harry - (D - NV), Schumer, Charles E. - (D - NY), (R - AL),Wyden, Ron - (D - OR),

Statement from Gov. Jim Gibbons “Our voting system is very simply the greatest in the world and is the basis of what makes this country great. The allegation that an organization that’s main purpose is to register new voters was doing so fraudulently is very troubling. I believe that requiring a photo ID to vote is a very reasonable protection for our voting system and should be enacted as law by the 2009 Legislature.”

Those who believe in America’s survival, without OVERPOPULATION as stated by the US Census bureau better read facts at NUMBERSUSA not the lies spawned by open border entities. Those who want details of corruption in WASHINGTON and state government go to JUDICIAL WATCH. Overpopulation, traffic hell should go to CAPSWEB. Other sites of interest on Immigration enforcement is ALIPAC and AMERICAN PATROL. We the people have the ultimate power to throw out anti-sovereignty incumbent politicians. Call and command these do-nothings to—STOP—this facade at 202-224-3121.
tinybobidaho on December 08 at 10:41 a.m.
If Raul Labrador defended an admitted human smuggler who was wanted on murder charges in Mexico, how many others has he defended just like this? Apparently, this Idaho legislator is more concerned about representing illegal aliens who are a potential threat to our citizens, than he is for representing the taxpayers who pay his wages. We need to give him the boot before he even gets a foot in the U.S Congressional door.
scootermom on December 08 at 12:57 p.m.
So, are all attorneys who have represented criminal defendants unfit for public office?

Including those who have represented Larry Craig, Tom Delay, Oliver North and Rush Limbaugh? Oh, and don’t forget Governor Otter!
dukenukem on December 08 at 7:11 p.m.
tinybobidaho:

Let me understand your twisted logic. If an attorney defends a rapist, the attorney supports rape? Right?

You appear to be “connected.” Since it’s pretty obvious that Vaughn Ward’s staff will continue to distort the facts and introduce this kind of circular reasoning when discussing immigration, I’m curious how Ward’s staff would treat Latinos who come into his offices (assuming he’s the next Congressman in the 1st CD). If a Latino comes into his office in Boise, for example, and asks about how one can become a legal U.S. resident, will Ward’s staff inquire about the person’s legal status and refuse to help him unless he can produce legal U.S. paperwork. Before you answer this question, perhaps you should check with Congressman Simpson, Sen. Crapo, and Sen. Risch’s staffers. This happens frequently. If they help people like this, does that mean they support illegal immigrants or immigration?
Sisyphus on December 09 at 1:03 p.m.
Senator Risch is a lawyer. He defended people charged with crimes. Dave Leroy still does.