Tom Tancredo (R) Representative, CO Born: 12/20/1945 Birthplace: Denver, CO Home: Golden, CO Religion: Presbyterian >> Website >> Forum >> Related Stories Coming Events

CONCORD, N.H. - If Presidential hopeful Tom Tancredo had his way, New Hampshire lawmakers behind an immigration bill would be thrown out of office and prosecuted for helping illegal immigrants.

"If they actually implemented it, you bet. It's aiding and abetting. I think that's a pretty clear violation of the federal law," he said Wednesday of the bill, which would prohibit state and local authorities from enforcing federal immigration laws.

Tancredo, a Colorado congressman who has staked his long-shot campaign for president on his vehement opposition to illegal immigration, acknowledged some legal obstacles likely would prevent prosecuting state lawmakers over proposed legislation. Otherwise, "I'd be more than willing to pursue it," he said. Mayors and city councilors who adopt sanctuary city policies also should face criminal charges, he said.

Tancredo supports building a fence along the border with Mexico and strictly enforcing existing immigration laws, including deporting all illegal immigrants.

Visiting Concord ahead of an evening debate of Republican presidential candidates at the University of New Hampshire, Tancredo dove into state politics, demanding the ouster of the bill's sponsors _ Democrats Lily Mesa of Manchester and Susi Nord of Candia _ though he did not mention them by name. He also urged Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, to speak out against the bill.

"It is a terrible idea and we need the governor to say something about it, for instance, 'I will veto any attempt to make New Hampshire a sanctuary state,'" Tancredo said.

Lynch spokesman Colin Manning pointed out the bill is all but dead. "It's not an issue," Manning said, adding that the governor supports strong borders. Mesa and Nord were not immediately available to comment on Wednesday afternoon.

The bill would ban state and local law enforcement agencies from accepting or using state money, equipment, personnel and resources solely to apprehend suspected illegal immigrants or to enforce federal immigration laws. It was introduced last January but never made it out of committee. Lawmakers are expected to vote on it in January after the Legislature convenes for the new session.

In New Hampshire, debate flared over local agencies' authority over federal immigration policy two years ago after police in two towns charged illegal immigrants with criminal trespass. A district court judge dismissed those charges, ruling they were unconstitutional. New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte declined to appeal the decision and asked local police chiefs not to prosecute illegal immigrants simply for being in their towns.

Tancredo, the grandchild of Italian immigrants, said his views on immigration _ legal and illegal _ stem from his concern for the preservation of American culture.

"My grandparents also came ... with this other strong desire, which is to cut the ties of the past and attach to the new," he said in an interview on New Hampshire Public Radio's "The Exchange."

"We can certainly have immigration but we can certainly have assimilation to go along with it," he said.

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On the Net:

Text of House Bill 404: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2007/HB0404.html