Bryant: Migrants top issue

June 12, 2006 – Illegal immigration was the topic of choice for U.S. Senate candidate Ed Bryant as he addressed listeners during a town hall forum at the Mt. Juliet Public Library Saturday promoting his Securing Tennessee's Future platform.
"I have been able to speak with a fair amount of authority on this issue, given my background in the law," Bryant said about illegal immigration.
He told the audience about his recent trip to the United States/Mexico border and how it affected his stance on the subject. He visited an area in Arizona where he helped erect a barbed wire fence to help the farmers protect cattle.
"They cross illegally and cut his fences, allowing diseased cows from the border to cross and infect his cattle," he said.
Bryant also discussed some of the solutions he feels could fix the problem.
"Several things we have to do," he said. "The number one thing we have to do is get across that the problem is in Washington D.C. ... the lack of will out of our leaders in Washington to enforce border laws."
He added it was important for the U.S. to deal diplomatically with Mexico and identify individuals who are in the country legally.
Another part of the plan included examining the effect of employers who give jobs to illegal immigrants.
"I believe over a period of time, the issue can be solved as they go back home, and by attrition, jobs will run out." Bryant said.
Bryant said Mexico shows no willingness to "build their own country up. ... [they are not trying] to create a society and economy that economy that keeps their folks at home where they need to be."
In closing Bryant talked about the issue of voting. He expressed his concern that there is now a choice to vote in either English or Spanish.
"I found out that I had the option to vote in English or Spanish, so I asked for Yugoslavian," he told the audience. "Immigration is the immediate issue that has really reared its face."
The Senate hopeful made stops in Dickson and Davidson counties before visiting Mt. Juliet. Bryant continued his campaigning by visiting Rutherford County later in the afternoon.
Staff Writer Kimberly Jordan can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 16.