No comprendo Tancredo.

• Author: Romero, Ed
• Position: Guest column - Tom Tancredo

"BEING ELECTED TO PUBLIC OFFICE DOESN'T MAKE you better or wiser than anyone else, but it does put you on a very public stage," former Colorado Lt. Gov. Gail Schoettler once said. "Therefore, people elected to national office are--and should be--held to a higher standard of behavior and prudence than everyone else."

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Speaking as an American of Hispanic descent, I believe Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo should adhere to that standard.

Tancredo's views on immigration policies were given ample explication in the July issue of ColoradoBiz. When I saw the cover and read the story I asked for equal time, but before I offer my opinion let me also state that I do not claim to speak for any group and certainly not for Hispanic immigrants who reside here in Colorado.

Yet, as a Hispanic American who shares a kinship to immigrants of the Latin Americas, my emotions move from anger to a deep frustration when witnessing the denigration of humble people who are crossing a border looking for a job--just any job. I assure you, when they think about moving to the United States from their homes across the border in Mexico, they are not plotting methods to break the law in America. They want jobs that will help them survive harsh economic winds that blow back and forth across their home countries.

Two or three years ago, Tancredo wrote an article in The Denver Post titled: "Showing immigrants respect." The first paragraph stated, "Colorado is home to more than a quarter-million immigrants, half of whom have arrived during the 1990s. Most of these newcomers are here legally, working hard to make better lives for themselves and their children. We should embrace these future Americans in our communities, our schools and our workplaces." Further, he stated, "A pro-immigrant policy of low immigration can reconcile America's traditional welcome for newcomers with the troubling consequences of today's mass immigration. It would enable us to be faithful and wise stewards of America's interests while also showing immigrants the respect they deserve as future Americans."

Que Paso? What happened? Have the quarter-million immigrants Tancredo spoke of then all become criminals since he wrote that article? Respect and dignity have certainly lost meaning to him.

Television, radio and print media have documented in the most vivid manner the statements both verbally and written by Tancredo and other Republican leaders that lump all immigrants together...