Texas Libertarians eliminate offensive immigration plank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 12, 2012

Contact:
Wes Benedict
512-659-8896
wesliberty@aol.com

Texas Libertarians eliminate offensive immigration plank

FORT WORTH - During the 2012 state convention of the Libertarian Party of Texas, delegates voted to remove a plank from the party platform that characterized some immigrants as "invaders."

Wes Benedict, former national Executive Director of the Libertarian Party, and current Libertarian Booster PAC president, commented, "I was an observer at the convention, and I was glad to see this plank removed. The plank placed too much burden of proof on immigrants, and it had an absurd clause saying that if you don't cross the border at a government-assigned point, then you're an invader."

Benedict continued, "Our immigration policy should be simple. American employers should be free to employ anyone they want, regardless of nationality. And any individual should be free to enter our country, unless someone presents positive evidence that he or she is a serious danger."

Benedict continued, "Too much of our national dialogue suggests that foreigners, especially Latin Americans, ought to be feared or distrusted. Instead, we should welcome foreigners with open arms. Immigrants are typically hard-working, less likely to commit crimes than natives, and less likely to be dependent on government assistance than natives. However, it's not surprising that so many Americans, and even some Libertarians, disagree on the immigration issue, given the vitriol constantly spewed by conservatives like Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly."

The following is the text of the deleted plank:

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Immigration

Libertarians hold that a border secure from invasion is essential to American freedom. However, we also hold that securing our border will be very difficult unless American immigration laws are reformed to remove the incentives to violate border control laws.

Peaceful immigrants should be issued work visas, subject only to vetting to ensure that they are not terrorists or criminals, and reasonable consideration of the economy's ability to employ them. Terrorists and criminals who attempt to enter the U.S. via a port of entry should be denied entry and, where applicable, arrested and detained or extradited. Persons attempting to enter the U.S. at any other point should be regarded as invaders and treated accordingly.
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The Libertarian Booster PAC encourages Libertarian candidates to adopt the "Liberty for Latinos" position posted here:

http://www.libertarianboosterpac.org/issues.html

The mission of the Libertarian Booster PAC is to promote liberty by helping candidates run efficient Libertarian campaigns.

http://www.libertarianboosterpac.org/

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