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Lou Dobbs Tonight

Congressional Hearing Looks into Border Control Problem; Rice Visits Mexico with Promises to Push Illegal Alien Bill; Mexican Interior Minister Speaks Out over Minuteman Project

Aired March 10, 2005 - 18:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


LOU DOBBS, HOST: Tonight, a crisis in illegal immigration. Millions of illegal aliens, including possibly terrorists, are pouring into this country. Our nation's border patrol does not have the resources to stop them. A House Immigration Committee taking on that urgent issue today. The chairman and ranking Democrat of that committee are our guests tonight.
Free trade giveaway. The worst fears about an explosion of cheap Chinese textile imports into this country have been realized, and it took only one month. We'll have a report on the high cost of so- called free trade.

And the assault continues on this country's middle class. Congress moves closer to approving new bankruptcy rules. Senator Ted Kennedy is our guest. He says this bill could devastate many American working families.

ANNOUNCER: This is Lou Dobbs for news, debate and opinion tonight.

DOBBS: Good evening.

A bizarre twist in the brutal murders of the husband and mother of a federal judge in Chicago. Chicago police are now investigating a suicide. Investigators say this case is far from over.

In "Grange on Point" tonight, the U.S. military has new information about the killing of an Italian intelligence agent in Iraq. General David Grange will be here.

And steroids and subpoenas, our special report tonight on baseball. Is baseball beyond the law? Is it bigger than the U.S. Congress?

But first tonight, Congress is taking on an urgent matter the White House has all but ignored. That is protecting our nation's borders and stopping the millions of illegal aliens flooding into this country, including possible terrorists.

Lawmakers also today heard frightening testimony on foreigners who come to this country legally, then break our immigration laws by staying.

Kitty Pilgrim reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KITTY PILGRIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Three of the 9/11 hijackers had lapsed visas. A congressional hearing today finally got around to talking about enforcing visa laws and deporting aliens with lapsed visas.

REP. JOHN HOSTETTLER (R-IN), CHAIRMAN, IMMIGRATION SUBCOMMITTEE: The continuation of the lack of interior enforcement most probably encourages future terrorists to ask, if it's broke and they're not going to fix it, why change tactics?

PILGRIM: Some terrorists actually use the ploy of applying for asylum, but even those who are denied asylum often stay anyway, unnoticed and undetected.

PAUL MARTIN, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: Several individuals convicted of terrorist attacks in the United States requested asylum as part of their efforts to remain in this country.

PILGRIM: The problem of catching illegal aliens and those who overstay is lack of money and resources. The committee heard today the detention and removal operation division alone is short 1,300 full and part-time employees. Immigration officials complained they hadn't even received enough funding to update their own uniforms and credentials.

RANDY CALLAHAN, ICE AGENT: My badge still says, "Immigration Detention Enforcement Officer," a position which no longer exists. And my credentials still say, "Department of Justice."

PILGRIM: That irony was not lost on committee members.

SHEILA JACKSON LEE (D-TX), IMMIGRATION SUBCOMMITTEE: Frankly you know that if someone was doing their duty, they could tell you to go away.

PILGRIM: There was some worry that the Congress would let languish Jim Sensenbrenner's bill for increased border security and bans on issuing driver's licenses to illegal aliens.

That provision passed in the House, but is now attached to the supplemental spending bill for Iraq and Afghanistan, so the Senate cannot ignore it. The House will take up that bill next week.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PILGRIM: One of the main themes of the hearing today was simply to enforce the laws that are already on the books.

Terrorists of non-Mexican origin are often not detained on the border, released into the country with simply a court date on a piece of paper. Those aliens may be from countries that sponsor terror, and closing that gap, Lou, is key to stopping the terrorism that's going on.

DOBBS: Kitty, thank you. We'll have much more ahead on today's hearings on our nation's border and immigration crisis. I'll be joined by the chairman of the immigration and border security subcommittee, Congressman Hostettler, and the ranking Democrat on that subcommittee, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson lee.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today visited the former home of the -- most illegal aliens living in this country. That is, the nation of Mexico. She met with Mexican President Vicente Fox and reiterated President Bush's commitment to giving millions of illegal aliens in this country legal status.

Dana Bash reports from the White House.

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Lou.

Well, an aide here called Condoleezza Rice's trip essentially warming the ground for a meeting that President Bush is going to have in two weeks in Texas with Mexico's president, Vicente Fox, as well as Canada's prime minister, but in terms of Mexican-U.S. relationships, Lou, this is certainly ground that could use some warming.

The U.S. has taken Mexico to task recently over a spike in drug- related violence along the border, because of human rights violations, according to the United States. And Mexican politicians have, in turn, accused the Bush administration of meddling in their affairs.

But of course, the biggest source of tension right now is immigration. Vicente Fox wants President Bush to use what he calls his political capital to get his proposal for temporary legal status for illegal workers through the United States Congress.

Today in Mexico, Condoleezza Rice promised they're working on it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: We, of course, talked about immigration, the president's commitment to immigration that is humane, that respects America's laws, and that also recognizes economic realities between Mexico and the United States, and recalled that President Fox and President Bush when they first met on this issue talked about the need to do something, but to also do it right because of the sensitivity of this issue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, Mr. Bush first proposed giving temporary legal status to undocumented workers more than a year ago, but he didn't really push it, primary because of staunch opposition from conservatives who were really critical to his reelection.

Well, in November, after he won, Mr. Bush met with Vicente Fox and promised he would, quote, "find supporters on the Hill and move it." But right now it is still very much deadlocked, still because of opposition from Republicans, who call his plan essentially amnesty for illegal immigrants. And a top GOP leadership aide in the House said today that at this point they are still talking. Perhaps they've made a little bit of progress in those discussions, saying they're not talking past each other, at least, now. But still said it is very unlikely that they're even going to bring this up this year in the House. Of course, that means that these tensions between the two president, old friends, aren't likely to subside right now -- Lou.

DOBBS: Even the expression "old friends" is probably debatable at this point.

Secretary Rice, I have to tell you, Dana, as I listen to her speak about this issue there in Mexico, I have no idea in the world what she's saying. Do you?

BASH: Well, she is a diplomat, Lou, and she is speaking in diplo-speak, perhaps, but -- but certainly, we're hearing from the White House that this obviously is going to be a top issue.

They are well aware that this is very, very important to Vicente Fox back home, but President Bush understands that this is a very heavy lift in the United States Congress at a time where he has other priorities that are equally heavy, and that this is going to be tough. But obviously it's something that they are going to have to work out.

DOBBS: And obviously getting tougher. The president's scheduled to meet with Vicente Fox on March 23 at the ranch in Crawford, Texas.

BASH: Correct.

DOBBS: Dana Bash, thank you very much.

BASH: Thank you.

DOBBS: Secretary Rice's visit to Mexico comes days after Mexico complained to the United States about the upcoming Minuteman Project that will take place along our southern border.

Hundreds of volunteers plan to spend next month monitoring the U.S. border and reporting illegal aliens who cross that border.

Lucia Newman recently talked with Mexico's interior secretary, Santiago Creel, about this issue and many others. She asked him how Mexico can possibly have a problem with Americans monitoring that border.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Mexico has said that it will do everything it can to stop the Minuteman Project, which is a citizens group plan to patrol the U.S. side of the Mexican-American border, to stop illegal immigrants and others from going across. Why this outrage over that plan?

SANTIAGO CREEL, MEXICAN INTERIOR SECRETARY: The objection is that Mexican nationals could be maltreated. The outrage is that the human rights of Mexicans living abroad have to be respected.

We want to have some kind of response for more than four million people, Mexicans living in the United States, that are working, and they are working in legal activities, and legal activities that benefit the U.S. economy and also Mexican economy.

So let's try to make an arrangement there. It will be good for the economy, good for security, Lucia, because there's no doubt that security could be improved if the U.S. government has the identity card, an official card, for each of those four million Mexicans living and working in the United States.

No doubt that in terms of risk management, why don't we allocate resources and money where the risk exists in terms of security? And in terms of people that go to work to the United States and they will not be able to be stopped.

NEWMAN: You have said that the illegal immigrants, Mexican immigrants that go to the United States are heroes, or you have described them as heroes. Why?

CREEL: Well, because they go without almost anything, no money, no security if they are going to work or not, find the work, find a job. And we have seen a lot of success stories, of Mexicans going to the United States, working successfully and returning back to Mexico.

CREEL: Well, because they go without almost anything, no money, no security if they are going to work or not, find the work, find a job. And we have seen a lot of success stories of Mexicans going to the United States, working successfully and returning back to Mexico.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DOBBS: Lucia Newman providing us with considerable insight into the thinking of the Mexican government.

We should point out that one of the reasons Administrator Creel considers illegal immigrants from Mexico to be heroes is the amount of money that those Mexican nationals send back to Mexico last year hit a record $16.6 billion, a 24 percent increase, by the way, from the previous year. Mexico's Central Bank says nearly all of that money originates in the United States. This year those remittances are expected to become the largest source of currency to Mexico, exceeding for the first time Mexico's oil revenues.

Or nation's Border Patrol agents are overwhelmed not only by illegal aliens, but also by illegal drugs and drug smugglers. Ruthless and deadly border gangs are now fighting a violent battle along the border to smuggle drugs into this country. It is a battle that has taken the lives of several Americans.

Lisa Sylvester reports from Laredo, Texas.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LISA SYLVESTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, may appear to be another bustling border city, but at nighttime it turns into a haven with drug runners, with daily executions, kidnappings and brazing gun battles. Now that crime rate is moving across the border into Laredo, Texas.

SHERIFF RICK FLORES, WEBB COUNTY, TEXAS: It's no longer in the infancy stages. It's full blown. Now the violence has already spilled over into our communities. We've had several incidents where they've used drive-bys and actually have gone and assassinated people in their homes.

SYLVESTER: In January, the State Department warned Americans to avoid the border cities. Twenty-seven Americans have been kidnapped in Mexico in the last six months.

(on camera): Right across the Rio Grande in Mexico, the level of violence is rising. Two rival drug cartels are fighting over the territory. And one of the cartels has hired a group of former Mexican commandos known as the Zetas to carry out contract killings.

RAY GARNER, DIRECTOR, LCC POLICE ACADEMY: The weaponry they use is equivalent to if not better than what law enforcement has. They use commando-type military training. They also have been known to come in and take over a business like our S.W.A.T. people.

SYLVESTER: Investigators are looking into three murders in the Dallas area that law enforcement officials say could be linked to the Zetas. The ex-military commandos are known for ruthless killings and have become particularly brazen after the recent arrests of the leader of the Gulf Cartel. Local law enforcement is working more closely with government agents to control the violence.

THOMAS HINOJOSA, DEA LAREDO, ASST. SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE: Laredo is a major transportation area. I mean, it's the largest land port in the United States. And when you talk about, you know, the volume of tractor trailers that are able to come into the United States, it's a hotspot.

SYLVESTER: At stake is the control of the Laredo Corridor. Whoever controls the region (UNINTELLIGIBLE) drugs, smuggle illegal aliens and extort legitimate businesses. Lisa Sylvester, CNN, Laredo, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DOBBS: Now a follow-up to a story we reported to you earlier this week. President Bush has asked Texas and other states to review the cases of 51 Mexican nationals now on death row for crimes they committed in this country. That request came in compliance with an international agreement giving jailed foreigners access to consular officials. Tonight the White House says it has withdrawn from that international accord. The State Department says all issues related to foreign prisoners in this country will now be handled by the courts in this country.

And on a story that we brought you last night here, 20 of the 27 illegal aliens who were captured doing highly-sensitive maintenance work on passenger and cargo aircraft at a North Carolina airport were, it turns out, also carrying North Carolina drivers' licenses. Incredibly, five of those illegal aliens had already been ordered to be deported, yet they were hired to do work that could compromise our national security and, of course, the safety of thousands of airline passengers.

The illegal aliens originated from eight countries, including Mexico and the Sudan. A spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement said 99 out of every 100 illegal aliens arrested in North Carolina possess state drivers' licenses. As we reported here, North Carolina is one of several states that does not require proof of citizenship before issuing a driver's license.

That brings us to the subject of tonight's poll. The question, do you believe giving legal status to illegal aliens in this country would encourage more illegal immigration, yes or no? Please cast your vote at LouDobbs.com. We'll have the results later in the broadcast.

Coming up here tonight, the rising cost of free trade. Newly- expired quotas on Chinese textiles have created an even bigger flood of cheap Chinese imports into the United States. Our special report is next.

And hundreds of thousands of people in France are apparently less concerned with winning the 2012 Olympic games and more concerned about having to work more than 35 hours a week. That story coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DOBBS: Cheap Chinese textile imports into this country have soared to staggering new heights after worldwide quotas limiting those imports in this country expired just a little over a month ago. The crush of imports will mean utter devastation for an American textile industry that is already on the brink of extinction.

Christine Romans reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): China's red tide of cheap clothing is flooding America's shores. More T-shirts and trousers shipped in one month than in the entire past year and a half. Chinese customs data bear out what many had feared, unshackled by quotas and manipulating its currency, China will dominate the global textile trade, destroy its competitors and cost thousands more American jobs.

CASS JOHNSON, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEXTILE ORGANIZATIONS: We have known the wolf was at our door for years. What happened on January 1 was the door got kicked opened and the wolf is now inside the house. But, I mean, he is going to rip -- China is going to rip this industry and our workers apart even quicker than we had feared.

ROMANS: Last January, China shipped 941,000 cotton shirts. This January, China cut its prices in half and sold more than 18 million. The number for trousers just as astonishing.

To look at that another way, that's an increase of 1,836 percent for shirts, and 1,332 percent for pants. These figures are from China, so some fear the true numbers may be even larger, as shipments routed through Hong Kong are not counted.

But there is no question, these numbers mean devastation for American textile workers. Unions and textile trade groups have asked Washington for safeguards against this Chinese tide.

MAY CHEN, UNITE HERE: It's time for the Bush administration and the government now to do something because this is not just threats or paranoia. This is reality, and my members have been feeling this already for a long time.

ROMANS: Indeed, in January more than 12,000 U.S. textile jobs were lost.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: And Lou, textile industry officials tell us half a million more jobs are at risk over the next couple of years. And it's not just here. Thirty million jobs worldwide will disappear, go to China.

DOBBS: China clearly will be dominating the world market. But the first concern is for this country and the middle class working people who are being absolutely put upon by these idiotic free trade policies. Why in the world can't anyone look and see that China is creating a middle class on the basis of manufacturing, while these idiotic policies are destroying ours?

ROMANS: There is free trade, there's fair trade. What about smart trade? China is doing smart trade, building this middle class while we sit by and watch our middle class deteriorate.

DOBBS: Christine, thank you very much. Just incredible numbers. We knew it was going to be bad, no one knew it would be this bad.

ROMANS: Indeed.

DOBBS: Christine Romans.

Today on Capitol Hill, lawmakers announced bipartisan legislation called Stop Overseas Subsidies, SOS. The legislation is intended to help American companies fight unfair trade practices in China and other countries. Senator Evan Bayh and Senator Susan Collins cosponsored the legislation. Today, Senator Bayh challenged our government to take responsibility for the impact of U.S. trade policies on American workers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. EVAN BAYH (D), INDIANA: It's just not right that American workers lose their jobs or American companies are forced out of business. Not because they don't work as hard, not because they're not as smart, not because their products aren't as good, but instead because of premeditated cheating on the part of other countries. And the indifference that our government has shown toward this problem is nothing short of outrageous, and that has to stop, too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOBBS: Meanwhile, Hispanics leaders from all across the country were on Capitol Hill today. They were there to support the latest so- called free trade agreement. The newly-formed Hispanic Alliance for Free Trade today said the Central American Free Trade Agreement is actually a fair agreement that will benefit the United States and our neighbors. They say CAFTA is the right thing to do.

Hundreds of thousands of French workers protested in the streets today just as Olympic officials arrived in Paris to decide whether the city should be hosting the 2012 Olympic games. French transit workers, energy workers, teachers, postal employees are all striking for a shorter work week. That strike crippled the transit systems.

Apparently labor unions are upset that the French government now wants workers in France to put in more than 35 hours a week. That's right, 35 hours a week. Imagine that. Today's strike comes as France's unemployment rate stands at a five-year high of 10 percent.

A major development tonight in the investigation into the killing of the husband and mother of a federal judge in Chicago.

And one congressman says there's no excuse for the foot-dragging in Washington over this nation's immigration and border security crisis. Two members of the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee are our guests here when we continue.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DOBBS: In a moment, immigration reform and border security the focus of a critically important hearing today on Capitol Hill. The chairman of the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee is our guest here in just a moment.

Here now are some of the other important stories we're following tonight.

In Iraq, a suicide bomber killed at least 26 people when he blew himself up during a funeral in Mosul. Another 27 people were injured in the explosion. That attack came as Iraqi Shias and Kurds agreed in principle on certain aspects of forming a new government.

An airline pilots' group says there are gaping holes in security at our nation's airports, raising questions about our national security. The group gives the government and airlines low grades for most aspects of security. A grade of "F" was given to missile defense, screening cargo and employee screening.

Former President Bill Clinton is tonight recovering from four hours of surgery. The surgery was to remove scar tissue and fluid that had built up in his chest and was pressing on his lung, and comes six months after President Clinton's quadruple bypass surgery. The surgery was successful.

A break tonight in the Chicago murders of a federal judge's mother and husband. A man who committed suicide last night left a note taking responsibility for those deaths.

Chris Lawrence reports from Chicago.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Lou, right now the police are quick to say that a confession does not mean that this case is over. A confession doesn't even mean that the writer was telling the truth.

But in the last few hours we have seen this handwritten letter signed by Bart Ross in which he describes how he broke into Judge Joan Lefkow's home and murdered her husband and mother. We're also learning more about Bart Ross the man.

He's a Polish immigrant who had worked as an electrician and become a U.S. citizen about 15 years ago, when he shortened his name to Bart Ross. Now, on Wednesday, he was driving through a Milwaukee suburb when police pulled him over on a routine traffic support. Before the officer could even talk to him, Ross put a gun to his head and killed himself.

Investigators found information in the vehicle that indicated Ross had something to do with the murders of Judge Lefkow's family. But the letter to the local NBC station here in Chicago was both detailed and graphic.

The writer describes how he waited downstairs in Judge Lefkow's home intending to kill her. But when her husband discovered him, Ross says he shot Mr. Lefkow, and then when her mother called down to see what had happened, he killed her, too.

Now, right now police have blocked off the area around Bart Ross' home in Chicago. He's lived there alone for about 10 years now, which with his dog, which the police went in and took away earlier today.

This all stems from the time about 10 years ago when Ross was diagnosed with cancer in his jaw. He was treated at the University of Illinois Medical Center, but when his jaw continued to deteriorate, he tried to sue them for malpractice.

He became more and more frustrated when no lawyers would take the case, and he eventually filed the complaint on his own. Back in September 2004, Judge Joan Lefkow dismissed that case, and neighbors say that just made him more and more angry with the entire system.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MERCEDES RIVERDA, NEIGHBOR OF BART ROSS: He told me. He told me. He came to my house and told me about it. He wanted me to lend him some money, and he was having problems with the lawsuit.

LAWRENCE: What did he tell you about the lawsuits?

RIVERDA: Nothing. That none of the courts would listen to him, and everybody turned him away. He was pretty frustrated.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAWRENCE: Yes. Again, in that letter to the local station here, the writer says that Judge Joan Lefkow was number one to kill because she had ruined his life. But investigators are looking into the possibility that he was targeting two other judges in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area as well -- Lou.

DOBBS: Chris, thank you very much. A sad and tragic story. Chris Lawrence reporting from Chicago.

Turning now to this top story of the evening, Congress today holding hearings on the enforcement of our immigration laws inside the borders of this country. The Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security heard testimony about the crisis that does face the country. They highlighted our reporting on this critical issue, in fact. One former I.N.S. agent talked about the importance of enforcement immigration laws.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL CUTLER, FRM. SPECIAL AGENT, INS: Clearly the effective enforcement of the immigration laws from within the interior of the United States is critical for our nation to gain control of its borders and to protect its citizens from aliens who come to this country to engage in criminal activities and terrorism. Our nation's inability and apparent unwillingness to enforce the immigration laws has caused our nation to pay a heavy price.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOBBS: I asked the chairman of that committee, Congressmen John Hostettler, whether he found today's testimony troubling.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REP. JOHN HOSTETTLER (R), INDIANA: Well, I'm troubled, to be honest, with what I've heard. Today we heard from witnesses talking about the -- the need for more resources to enforce immigration laws in the interior.

We appreciate the president's input as far as budgetary matters, but ultimately, it rests on Congress to do the right thing. And we expect to do that.

DOBBS: I think probably most of our viewers, Congressman, would expect our Congress, our Senate and our president, as well as our courts, to do the right thing. It's -- I think it's commendable that you would take that responsibility upon yourself. But the fact is, we are not being represented well in Washington on this issue of illegal immigration, nor border security. You and your committee have begun to change that, as has Congressman Sensenbrenner, his committee, and a handful of others.

But the fact is, this country right now is wide open. Three million illegal aliens crossed our borders last year. You -- you're documenting the sad, despairing straits we're in in terms of internal security and internal enforcement of our immigration laws and our security laws.

What in the world is to be done? We're talking three and a half years after September 11.

HOSTETTLER: Well, there's no excuse for that, Lou. There's no excuse for the foot dragging that's gone on here in Washington. But I can tell you in conversations I have with members who have gone back to their districts over the last couple of months since this new Congress has been put in place, that -- that even at many times eclipsing the concern over Social Security reform in the -- in the hearts and minds and questions of our constituents, people are asking us about illegal immigration and what we're going to do to stop it.

And so, in many of these cases that we've seen, it takes members of Congress to hear from our constituents, to hear that enough is enough and -- and to change things.

And so that's why I think that, at this time, a lot of our constituents are tired of the excuses, and they're wanting us to do something. Not just do something, but do what we promised we were going to do last year, when we said we were going to double the number of border patrol agents, triple the number of ICE agents and increase the number of detention beds.

DOBBS: And Congressman, you're a co-sponsor of Congressman Sensenbrenner's legislation, the Real I.D. Act. The guarantee was put forward by the Republican leadership that this would be attached to must pass legislation and that it would be passed in the new Congress. Do you believe that will still occur?

HOSTETTLER: I do believe that. In fact, there's a report out this morning that -- that our majority leader, Tom DeLay, has said that he would attach the Real I.D. Act to the -- to the supplemental appropriations bill that's coming through through that's going to help fund our war efforts in Iraq. So this is the type of must pass legislation that the Real I.D. Act needs to be attached to.

Now that's what we're going to do on the House side. We hope our Senate -- our Senate counterparts follow on. And I think if they're listening to their constituents, they'll do likewise.

DOBBS: But what we have seen before and as you well know, there has been nothing short of game playing on the part of the House leadership and the Senate leadership and the White House. That is, the House passes the legislation, the Senate, with the same marching orders from the White House and from the same conferences, refusing then to pass the legislation.

Do you suspect that will happen again, or are you confident that it won't?

HOSTETTLER: Well, I believe -- I'm confident that we're going to raise enough noise about this that nobody that stands in the way of putting the Real I.D. Act into law is going to feel very comfortable about what they're doing. And -- and it might take us one or two times to do this. But there are a lot of folks here in Washington, D.C., that don't like to get those nasty phone calls from their constituents. And we intend to keep the pressure on in whatever way we need to, and we appreciate the fact that you're doing it, to do what we need to do to pass this legislation.

I can tell you that there is a head of steam that is building up behind these reforms. And -- and it's our obligation to strike while the iron's hot. Now we're going to have to strike, probably, for two years now. But we're going to do it.

DOBBS: Congressman Hostettler, we appreciate you being here, and we appreciate the work that you're doing. Good luck.

HOSTETTLER: Thank you, Lou. Thank you, Lou.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DOBBS: Congresswoman John Hostettler.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is the ranking Democrat on the immigration and border security sub-committee. She says our immigration and customs enforcement agency faces nothing less than an emergency. She joins us from Capitol Hill. Congresswoman, good to have you with us.

REP. SHEILA JACKSON LEE, (D) TEXAS: Nice to be here with you, Lou.

DOBBS: Congressman Hostettler said that he was troubled and disappointed by the administration's reduction in the number of border patrol agents in the current budget, in the proposed budget, also in terms of the I.C.E. agents? Do you concur? Are you concerned as well?

LEE: Lou, I think we are united on our frustration and our sense of disbelief that in this time, some 4 years after 9/11, that we have not strengthened our internal enforcement and of course our border patrol agents and their professional needs. And that means funding, it means training and it means equipment.

Let me just share with you some of the (AUDIO GAP) Mr. Callahan who eloquently spoke of the need for boosting morale and the concern that they were not able to do very important work.

When you ask for, or when the intelligence reform bill of 2004 asked that you should have 800 I.C.E. employees or I.C.E. investigators. And that deals with, of course, people who are in place, illegal aliens who are potential terrorists and others in the country to do arm, the investigative arm, you ask for 800 and you have only 143 in the FY06 budget, that's a crisis.

When you ask for 10,000 over 5 years for border patrol agents, and that means 2,000 a year and you only get 210, that is a crisis.

And I believe that we are not divided on the fact that we must provide that kind of insurance in providing security and the safety of the homeland.

DOBBS: Do you believe, Congresswoman, that in point of fact, the Bush administration cut those numbers and put them forward in conjunction with the efforts for an amnesty program, the guest worker program that President Bush has put forward? Is there a relationship in what is effectively an open borders policy and what is effectively an amnesty?

LEE: I would not attribute, if you will, bad intent to the administration. But I hope they take guidance from the Congress. First of all, I think the program that they have, the guest workers program is is not the answer. I happen to think we're doing patchwork on immigration, and I think Americans want us to do a comprehensive reform.

Lou, you may understand that I truly believe that there is some ability to provide a pathway for legalization for those already here. The president's program is an open door and a flat-Earth theory.

What does that mean? It's a three-year program. It means that you're here for three years and you're asked to leave after three years. Does anyone realistically think that once you're invited in that you're going to leave having set down roots? So that's why I think his program is unworkable.

Let me tell you what I think will work. The president needs to sit down, obviously listening to the American people. I agree with the chairman, I think immigration is on the minds of many Americans. Sit down with the United States Congress, recognize that immigration issues, security issues are not partisan, and forge, if you will, a comprehensive solution such as what I've had offered, the Comprehension Fairness Reform Act of 2005.

We can do this with security, with enforcement and also with finding a way to address the question of 14 million undocumented in the country at this time. DOBBS: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, we thank you for being here.

LEE: Thank you for having me.

DOBBS: Congress isn't playing games with Major League Baseball. Next, members of Congress are calling on some of baseball's biggest sluggers over the use of steroids. Subpoena power is present. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DOBBS: On Capitol Hill today, the chairman of a Congressional subcommittee investigating steroid abuse in sports, called for a uniform drug tests standard for every athlete in the country. Members of that Congressional committee today, said Major League Baseball players should not be above the law. In fact, they've issued subpoenas to some of the sport's biggest stars. Bob Franken reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At spring training, no comment from Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmero, and other top players. Now forced to play hardball with Congress. Charges of steroid use have changed the field of dreams into a bad dream.

REP. CLIFF STEARNS (R), FLORIDA: Steroids are the tools of the cheater.

FRANKEN: This was just batting practice, just a warm-up for next week's scheduled hearing on baseball and steroids by another committee, the all-star game. The problem is many of the stars don't want to play. They've declined invitations to testify. But Washington politics know how to play in the big leagues too. And they've issued subpoena and are considering granting limited legal immunity.

REP. HENRY WAXMAN (D), CALIFORNIA: The American people deserve the truth, and we have a responsibility to help them find it.

FRANKEN: So Sosa, Palmero, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Kurt Schilling, Frank Thomas, and Jose Canseco, supers stars past and present, while absent any agreement, be ordered to be present next Thursday. Baseball's lawyer is crying foul because the committee could jeopardies coming criminal trials.

STAN BRAND, ATTORNEY FOR MLB: To parade witnesses in front of a Congressional committee, some of whom will be witnesses in that trial, prior to that time that occurs could, irreparably taint the process.

REP. STEVE BUYER (R), INDIANA: What, so should turn a blind eye? I don't think so.

FRANKEN: The use of steroids, of course, starts well before the Major Leagues.

DON HOOTEN, PARENT: Twenty short months ago, my youngest son Taylor (ph) took his own life.

FRANKEN: This hearing, too, featured compelling testimony.

HOOTEN: I am absolutely convinced that Taylor's use of anabolic steroids played a significant role in causing the depression severe enough to result in suicide.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: The members of Congress insist the dangers are significant enough, they need to put a harsh spotlight on the problem to educate the public. Major League Baseball says, Lou, that the members are playing way out of their league.

DOBBS: We'll see, as they say. Bob Franken, thank you.

Next, the middle class under assault. Why legislation before Congress could be a devastating blow to American families. That story is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DOBBS: We've just received word that the U.S. Senate has passed -- has just passed legislation on bankruptcy, making it far more different for families to file for bankruptcy. The measure passed in the Senate 74-25. It's the most sweeping overhaul of bankruptcy laws in a quarter century. The House will vote on the legislation next month. I talked earlier with Senator Kennedy about the fact that half of all personal bankruptcies occur because of medical and health issues, and the burden that is imposed particularly on single mothers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), M.A.: Well, just four days ago, I was at a hearing in Brighton, Massachusetts. And there was a wonderful person that stood up and said, Senator Kennedy, when is the United States Senate going to start paying attention to the kind of problems that my family are facing? You've taken care of the big corporations with the class-action bills. You're taking care of the credit card companies with the bankruptcy bills. It looks like you're taking care of Wall Street on Social Security. When will people take care of the things that I -- that really affect my family?

One of the amendments I offered this afternoon was to say we have 1 million single women that go into bankruptcy every year, and 20 percent of them go in because of deadbeat dads. Their husbands refuse to pay alimony or child support. These are hard-working women trying to provide for their children, for their families. And now under this bankruptcy bill, they're going to be swallowed up by the credit card companies and really be indebted to them for the next five years. This isn't the right way to do it. It is unfair to single moms. They didn't fail to pay their bills. It was just their deadbeat husbands.

DOBBS: And what you propose in the way of support for their single mothers would be consistent with family values. Also most people in this country have been, because of various lobbying efforts and advertising efforts, they've painted the picture of those who enter bankruptcy in this country as spend thrifts, but the fact is quite different, isn't it?

KENNEDY: It is. The basic bankruptcy judges and others say maybe it's 5 percent or 7 percent. We're all for requiring them to meet their responsibilities. But even the proponents say it's somewhat less than 10 percent, but nonetheless they're going to catch the single moms. And the reason they're going to catch the single moms is through no fault of their own, it's because of the deadbeat dads.

They're not paying alimony or child support, and they're going to -- the second very important amendment was because we have seen so much outsourcing of American jobs recently, and the loss of manufacturing jobs recently, we've seen many of these individuals who have lost their health insurance, and they also are being caught up. They're trying to provide for their family. They're trying to pay off their bills with part-time jobs. And they're just getting swallowed up by credit card debt. And they're going to be indebted to the credit cards for the next five years. Bankruptcy was always about make people pay whatever they can at the time of their bankruptcy and give them a second chance. That's the way it's been historically.

But that isn't what this bill is about. This bill, is a bill for the credit card companies, by the credit card companies, written by the credit card companies. And it will mean hard-working Americans are going to be tied to paying out to the credit card companies for years into the future.

DOBBS: Senator Kennedy, we thank you for being here. Appreciate it.

KENNEDY: Thank you very much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DOBBS: Taking a look now at your thoughts on colleges and universities in this country allowing illegal aliens to pay in-state tuition.

Adiel Cohen of New York, "why are we providing illegal immigrants in-state tuition when children of American soldiers do not get the same privilege from the states where they are stationed."

David Walker in Bluffton, Ohio, "I must not understand what an illegal alien is. I thought that illegal aliens were those who were not supposed to be in this country at all. So indeed of food stamps and drivers licenses, shouldn't they be given a one-way ticket home? I don't even know why this is an issue for debate."

Send us your thoughts at loudobbs.com. Each of you whose e-mail is read on the broadcast receives a copy of my book "Exporting America." And if you want our e-mail newsletter, sign up on the Web site loudobbs@CNN.com.

The death of an Italian security agent in Iraq has sparked an investigation and a political confrontation. That story is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DOBBS: Muslim clerics in Spain have issued a fatwa against al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. This dramatic move comes one day before the anniversary of the Madrid train bombings in which 191 people were killed. Militants claimed responsibility -- radical Islamist claimed responsibility for the attack saying they acted on behalf of the al Qaeda. A dramatic development out of Spain.

Italy's defense minister has called Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to talk about the investigation into Friday's shooting incident near the Baghdad Airport.

Joining me now, General David Grange. General, we just learned today that security had been tightened and added to that road leading to the international airport because of ambassador John Negroponte's presence. Do you think that played a role?

BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE (RET), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Well, it may have, Lou, if new elements are put on a temporary checkpoints. Was there lack of coordination between the chain of command and those running the checkpoints and the Italian liaison element that was coordinating a move? That could have been a part of it, yes.

DOBBS: And the investigation has been going on now for some time. How quickly do you expect a response? What do you expect the outcome to be?

GRANGE: Well, there will be a quick response due to the fact that it's high priority. It was a V.I.P. involved. A general officer -- a U.S. general officer has been assigned to do the investigation. And it's not only just to find out where the fault was, but to also recommend any improvements so future incidents like this do not take place.

DOBBS: Let's turn to Syria quickly, the Bush administration apparently making a decision to soften its stance on Hezbollah and its dealings with Syria in the efforts to remove Syria from Lebanon. You're reaction?

GRANGE: Well, I believe any softness comes only to the political or social entity of the Hezbollah party so they can have a true Democratic election when that takes place in May. I don't think anything changed with the terrorist arm of the Hezbollah, which is very robust, supported by Syria and Iran, armed to their teeth and has a totally different agenda. So, I think the hard-core stance against the terrorist arms remains as always, tough.

DOBBS: General David Grange, thank you.

GRANGE: My pleasure.

DOBBS: Still ahead, we'll have the results of tonight's poll, a preview of tomorrow. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DOBBS: Now the results of our poll tonight. 96 percent of you say giving legal status to illegal aliens in this country would only encourage more illegal immigration. 4 percent disagree.

Thanks for being with us tonight. Please join us here tomorrow. 2 members of congress who want secretary of state Condoleezza Rice to stand up to the Mexican government. Congressman Charlie Norwood, Congressman Dana Rohrbacher will be our guests.

And our special report, why bother coming here legal, when you can just cross our illegal status under the president's guest worker plan?

And the high cost of free trade. Tomorrow the government will tell us just how much we've since the quotas on cheap Chinese imports expired. That, and a great deal more here tomorrow. Please be with us.

For all of us here, good night from New York. "ANDERSON COOPER 360" is next.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired March 10, 2005 - 18:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LOU DOBBS, HOST: Tonight, a crisis in illegal immigration. Millions of illegal aliens, including possibly terrorists, are pouring into this country. Our nation's border patrol does not have the resources to stop them. A House Immigration Committee taking on that urgent issue today. The chairman and ranking Democrat of that committee are our guests tonight.
Free trade giveaway. The worst fears about an explosion of cheap Chinese textile imports into this country have been realized, and it took only one month. We'll have a report on the high cost of so- called free trade.

And the assault continues on this country's middle class. Congress moves closer to approving new bankruptcy rules. Senator Ted Kennedy is our guest. He says this bill could devastate many American working families.

ANNOUNCER: This is Lou Dobbs for news, debate and opinion tonight.

DOBBS: Good evening.

A bizarre twist in the brutal murders of the husband and mother of a federal judge in Chicago. Chicago police are now investigating a suicide. Investigators say this case is far from over.

In "Grange on Point" tonight, the U.S. military has new information about the killing of an Italian intelligence agent in Iraq. General David Grange will be here.

And steroids and subpoenas, our special report tonight on baseball. Is baseball beyond the law? Is it bigger than the U.S. Congress?

But first tonight, Congress is taking on an urgent matter the White House has all but ignored. That is protecting our nation's borders and stopping the millions of illegal aliens flooding into this country, including possible terrorists.

Lawmakers also today heard frightening testimony on foreigners who come to this country legally, then break our immigration laws by staying.

Kitty Pilgrim reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KITTY PILGRIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Three of the 9/11 hijackers had lapsed visas. A congressional hearing today finally got around to talking about enforcing visa laws and deporting aliens with lapsed visas.

REP. JOHN HOSTETTLER (R-IN), CHAIRMAN, IMMIGRATION SUBCOMMITTEE: The continuation of the lack of interior enforcement most probably encourages future terrorists to ask, if it's broke and they're not going to fix it, why change tactics?

PILGRIM: Some terrorists actually use the ploy of applying for asylum, but even those who are denied asylum often stay anyway, unnoticed and undetected.

PAUL MARTIN, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: Several individuals convicted of terrorist attacks in the United States requested asylum as part of their efforts to remain in this country.

PILGRIM: The problem of catching illegal aliens and those who overstay is lack of money and resources. The committee heard today the detention and removal operation division alone is short 1,300 full and part-time employees. Immigration officials complained they hadn't even received enough funding to update their own uniforms and credentials.

RANDY CALLAHAN, ICE AGENT: My badge still says, "Immigration Detention Enforcement Officer," a position which no longer exists. And my credentials still say, "Department of Justice."

PILGRIM: That irony was not lost on committee members.

SHEILA JACKSON LEE (D-TX), IMMIGRATION SUBCOMMITTEE: Frankly you know that if someone was doing their duty, they could tell you to go away.

PILGRIM: There was some worry that the Congress would let languish Jim Sensenbrenner's bill for increased border security and bans on issuing driver's licenses to illegal aliens.

That provision passed in the House, but is now attached to the supplemental spending bill for Iraq and Afghanistan, so the Senate cannot ignore it. The House will take up that bill next week.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PILGRIM: One of the main themes of the hearing today was simply to enforce the laws that are already on the books.

Terrorists of non-Mexican origin are often not detained on the border, released into the country with simply a court date on a piece of paper. Those aliens may be from countries that sponsor terror, and closing that gap, Lou, is key to stopping the terrorism that's going on.

DOBBS: Kitty, thank you. We'll have much more ahead on today's hearings on our nation's border and immigration crisis. I'll be joined by the chairman of the immigration and border security subcommittee, Congressman Hostettler, and the ranking Democrat on that subcommittee, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson lee.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today visited the former home of the -- most illegal aliens living in this country. That is, the nation of Mexico. She met with Mexican President Vicente Fox and reiterated President Bush's commitment to giving millions of illegal aliens in this country legal status.

Dana Bash reports from the White House.

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Lou.

Well, an aide here called Condoleezza Rice's trip essentially warming the ground for a meeting that President Bush is going to have in two weeks in Texas with Mexico's president, Vicente Fox, as well as Canada's prime minister, but in terms of Mexican-U.S. relationships, Lou, this is certainly ground that could use some warming.

The U.S. has taken Mexico to task recently over a spike in drug- related violence along the border, because of human rights violations, according to the United States. And Mexican politicians have, in turn, accused the Bush administration of meddling in their affairs.

But of course, the biggest source of tension right now is immigration. Vicente Fox wants President Bush to use what he calls his political capital to get his proposal for temporary legal status for illegal workers through the United States Congress.

Today in Mexico, Condoleezza Rice promised they're working on it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: We, of course, talked about immigration, the president's commitment to immigration that is humane, that respects America's laws, and that also recognizes economic realities between Mexico and the United States, and recalled that President Fox and President Bush when they first met on this issue talked about the need to do something, but to also do it right because of the sensitivity of this issue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, Mr. Bush first proposed giving temporary legal status to undocumented workers more than a year ago, but he didn't really push it, primary because of staunch opposition from conservatives who were really critical to his reelection.

Well, in November, after he won, Mr. Bush met with Vicente Fox and promised he would, quote, "find supporters on the Hill and move it." But right now it is still very much deadlocked, still because of opposition from Republicans, who call his plan essentially amnesty for illegal immigrants. And a top GOP leadership aide in the House said today that at this point they are still talking. Perhaps they've made a little bit of progress in those discussions, saying they're not talking past each other, at least, now. But still said it is very unlikely that they're even going to bring this up this year in the House. Of course, that means that these tensions between the two president, old friends, aren't likely to subside right now -- Lou.

DOBBS: Even the expression "old friends" is probably debatable at this point.

Secretary Rice, I have to tell you, Dana, as I listen to her speak about this issue there in Mexico, I have no idea in the world what she's saying. Do you?

BASH: Well, she is a diplomat, Lou, and she is speaking in diplo-speak, perhaps, but -- but certainly, we're hearing from the White House that this obviously is going to be a top issue.

They are well aware that this is very, very important to Vicente Fox back home, but President Bush understands that this is a very heavy lift in the United States Congress at a time where he has other priorities that are equally heavy, and that this is going to be tough. But obviously it's something that they are going to have to work out.

DOBBS: And obviously getting tougher. The president's scheduled to meet with Vicente Fox on March 23 at the ranch in Crawford, Texas.

BASH: Correct.

DOBBS: Dana Bash, thank you very much.

BASH: Thank you.

DOBBS: Secretary Rice's visit to Mexico comes days after Mexico complained to the United States about the upcoming Minuteman Project that will take place along our southern border.

Hundreds of volunteers plan to spend next month monitoring the U.S. border and reporting illegal aliens who cross that border.

Lucia Newman recently talked with Mexico's interior secretary, Santiago Creel, about this issue and many others. She asked him how Mexico can possibly have a problem with Americans monitoring that border.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Mexico has said that it will do everything it can to stop the Minuteman Project, which is a citizens group plan to patrol the U.S. side of the Mexican-American border, to stop illegal immigrants and others from going across. Why this outrage over that plan?

SANTIAGO CREEL, MEXICAN INTERIOR SECRETARY: The objection is that Mexican nationals could be maltreated. The outrage is that the human rights of Mexicans living abroad have to be respected.

We want to have some kind of response for more than four million people, Mexicans living in the United States, that are working, and they are working in legal activities, and legal activities that benefit the U.S. economy and also Mexican economy.

So let's try to make an arrangement there. It will be good for the economy, good for security, Lucia, because there's no doubt that security could be improved if the U.S. government has the identity card, an official card, for each of those four million Mexicans living and working in the United States.

No doubt that in terms of risk management, why don't we allocate resources and money where the risk exists in terms of security? And in terms of people that go to work to the United States and they will not be able to be stopped.

NEWMAN: You have said that the illegal immigrants, Mexican immigrants that go to the United States are heroes, or you have described them as heroes. Why?

CREEL: Well, because they go without almost anything, no money, no security if they are going to work or not, find the work, find a job. And we have seen a lot of success stories, of Mexicans going to the United States, working successfully and returning back to Mexico.

CREEL: Well, because they go without almost anything, no money, no security if they are going to work or not, find the work, find a job. And we have seen a lot of success stories of Mexicans going to the United States, working successfully and returning back to Mexico.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DOBBS: Lucia Newman providing us with considerable insight into the thinking of the Mexican government.

We should point out that one of the reasons Administrator Creel considers illegal immigrants from Mexico to be heroes is the amount of money that those Mexican nationals send back to Mexico last year hit a record $16.6 billion, a 24 percent increase, by the way, from the previous year. Mexico's Central Bank says nearly all of that money originates in the United States. This year those remittances are expected to become the largest source of currency to Mexico, exceeding for the first time Mexico's oil revenues.

Or nation's Border Patrol agents are overwhelmed not only by illegal aliens, but also by illegal drugs and drug smugglers. Ruthless and deadly border gangs are now fighting a violent battle along the border to smuggle drugs into this country. It is a battle that has taken the lives of several Americans.

Lisa Sylvester reports from Laredo, Texas.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LISA SYLVESTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, may appear to be another bustling border city, but at nighttime it turns into a haven with drug runners, with daily executions, kidnappings and brazing gun battles. Now that crime rate is moving across the border into Laredo, Texas.

SHERIFF RICK FLORES, WEBB COUNTY, TEXAS: It's no longer in the infancy stages. It's full blown. Now the violence has already spilled over into our communities. We've had several incidents where they've used drive-bys and actually have gone and assassinated people in their homes.

SYLVESTER: In January, the State Department warned Americans to avoid the border cities. Twenty-seven Americans have been kidnapped in Mexico in the last six months.

(on camera): Right across the Rio Grande in Mexico, the level of violence is rising. Two rival drug cartels are fighting over the territory. And one of the cartels has hired a group of former Mexican commandos known as the Zetas to carry out contract killings.

RAY GARNER, DIRECTOR, LCC POLICE ACADEMY: The weaponry they use is equivalent to if not better than what law enforcement has. They use commando-type military training. They also have been known to come in and take over a business like our S.W.A.T. people.

SYLVESTER: Investigators are looking into three murders in the Dallas area that law enforcement officials say could be linked to the Zetas. The ex-military commandos are known for ruthless killings and have become particularly brazen after the recent arrests of the leader of the Gulf Cartel. Local law enforcement is working more closely with government agents to control the violence.

THOMAS HINOJOSA, DEA LAREDO, ASST. SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE: Laredo is a major transportation area. I mean, it's the largest land port in the United States. And when you talk about, you know, the volume of tractor trailers that are able to come into the United States, it's a hotspot.

SYLVESTER: At stake is the control of the Laredo Corridor. Whoever controls the region (UNINTELLIGIBLE) drugs, smuggle illegal aliens and extort legitimate businesses. Lisa Sylvester, CNN, Laredo, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DOBBS: Now a follow-up to a story we reported to you earlier this week. President Bush has asked Texas and other states to review the cases of 51 Mexican nationals now on death row for crimes they committed in this country. That request came in compliance with an international agreement giving jailed foreigners access to consular officials. Tonight the White House says it has withdrawn from that international accord. The State Department says all issues related to foreign prisoners in this country will now be handled by the courts in this country.

And on a story that we brought you last night here, 20 of the 27 illegal aliens who were captured doing highly-sensitive maintenance work on passenger and cargo aircraft at a North Carolina airport were, it turns out, also carrying North Carolina drivers' licenses. Incredibly, five of those illegal aliens had already been ordered to be deported, yet they were hired to do work that could compromise our national security and, of course, the safety of thousands of airline passengers.

The illegal aliens originated from eight countries, including Mexico and the Sudan. A spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement said 99 out of every 100 illegal aliens arrested in North Carolina possess state drivers' licenses. As we reported here, North Carolina is one of several states that does not require proof of citizenship before issuing a driver's license.

That brings us to the subject of tonight's poll. The question, do you believe giving legal status to illegal aliens in this country would encourage more illegal immigration, yes or no? Please cast your vote at LouDobbs.com. We'll have the results later in the broadcast.

Coming up here tonight, the rising cost of free trade. Newly- expired quotas on Chinese textiles have created an even bigger flood of cheap Chinese imports into the United States. Our special report is next.

And hundreds of thousands of people in France are apparently less concerned with winning the 2012 Olympic games and more concerned about having to work more than 35 hours a week. That story coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DOBBS: Cheap Chinese textile imports into this country have soared to staggering new heights after worldwide quotas limiting those imports in this country expired just a little over a month ago. The crush of imports will mean utter devastation for an American textile industry that is already on the brink of extinction.

Christine Romans reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): China's red tide of cheap clothing is flooding America's shores. More T-shirts and trousers shipped in one month than in the entire past year and a half. Chinese customs data bear out what many had feared, unshackled by quotas and manipulating its currency, China will dominate the global textile trade, destroy its competitors and cost thousands more American jobs.

CASS JOHNSON, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEXTILE ORGANIZATIONS: We have known the wolf was at our door for years. What happened on January 1 was the door got kicked opened and the wolf is now inside the house. But, I mean, he is going to rip -- China is going to rip this industry and our workers apart even quicker than we had feared.

ROMANS: Last January, China shipped 941,000 cotton shirts. This January, China cut its prices in half and sold more than 18 million. The number for trousers just as astonishing.

To look at that another way, that's an increase of 1,836 percent for shirts, and 1,332 percent for pants. These figures are from China, so some fear the true numbers may be even larger, as shipments routed through Hong Kong are not counted.

But there is no question, these numbers mean devastation for American textile workers. Unions and textile trade groups have asked Washington for safeguards against this Chinese tide.

MAY CHEN, UNITE HERE: It's time for the Bush administration and the government now to do something because this is not just threats or paranoia. This is reality, and my members have been feeling this already for a long time.

ROMANS: Indeed, in January more than 12,000 U.S. textile jobs were lost.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: And Lou, textile industry officials tell us half a million more jobs are at risk over the next couple of years. And it's not just here. Thirty million jobs worldwide will disappear, go to China.

DOBBS: China clearly will be dominating the world market. But the first concern is for this country and the middle class working people who are being absolutely put upon by these idiotic free trade policies. Why in the world can't anyone look and see that China is creating a middle class on the basis of manufacturing, while these idiotic policies are destroying ours?

ROMANS: There is free trade, there's fair trade. What about smart trade? China is doing smart trade, building this middle class while we sit by and watch our middle class deteriorate.

DOBBS: Christine, thank you very much. Just incredible numbers. We knew it was going to be bad, no one knew it would be this bad.

ROMANS: Indeed.

DOBBS: Christine Romans.

Today on Capitol Hill, lawmakers announced bipartisan legislation called Stop Overseas Subsidies, SOS. The legislation is intended to help American companies fight unfair trade practices in China and other countries. Senator Evan Bayh and Senator Susan Collins cosponsored the legislation. Today, Senator Bayh challenged our government to take responsibility for the impact of U.S. trade policies on American workers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. EVAN BAYH (D), INDIANA: It's just not right that American workers lose their jobs or American companies are forced out of business. Not because they don't work as hard, not because they're not as smart, not because their products aren't as good, but instead because of premeditated cheating on the part of other countries. And the indifference that our government has shown toward this problem is nothing short of outrageous, and that has to stop, too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOBBS: Meanwhile, Hispanics leaders from all across the country were on Capitol Hill today. They were there to support the latest so- called free trade agreement. The newly-formed Hispanic Alliance for Free Trade today said the Central American Free Trade Agreement is actually a fair agreement that will benefit the United States and our neighbors. They say CAFTA is the right thing to do.

Hundreds of thousands of French workers protested in the streets today just as Olympic officials arrived in Paris to decide whether the city should be hosting the 2012 Olympic games. French transit workers, energy workers, teachers, postal employees are all striking for a shorter work week. That strike crippled the transit systems.

Apparently labor unions are upset that the French government now wants workers in France to put in more than 35 hours a week. That's right, 35 hours a week. Imagine that. Today's strike comes as France's unemployment rate stands at a five-year high of 10 percent.

A major development tonight in the investigation into the killing of the husband and mother of a federal judge in Chicago.

And one congressman says there's no excuse for the foot-dragging in Washington over this nation's immigration and border security crisis. Two members of the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee are our guests here when we continue.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DOBBS: In a moment, immigration reform and border security the focus of a critically important hearing today on Capitol Hill. The chairman of the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee is our guest here in just a moment.

Here now are some of the other important stories we're following tonight.

In Iraq, a suicide bomber killed at least 26 people when he blew himself up during a funeral in Mosul. Another 27 people were injured in the explosion. That attack came as Iraqi Shias and Kurds agreed in principle on certain aspects of forming a new government.

An airline pilots' group says there are gaping holes in security at our nation's airports, raising questions about our national security. The group gives the government and airlines low grades for most aspects of security. A grade of "F" was given to missile defense, screening cargo and employee screening.

Former President Bill Clinton is tonight recovering from four hours of surgery. The surgery was to remove scar tissue and fluid that had built up in his chest and was pressing on his lung, and comes six months after President Clinton's quadruple bypass surgery. The surgery was successful.

A break tonight in the Chicago murders of a federal judge's mother and husband. A man who committed suicide last night left a note taking responsibility for those deaths.

Chris Lawrence reports from Chicago.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Lou, right now the police are quick to say that a confession does not mean that this case is over. A confession doesn't even mean that the writer was telling the truth.

But in the last few hours we have seen this handwritten letter signed by Bart Ross in which he describes how he broke into Judge Joan Lefkow's home and murdered her husband and mother. We're also learning more about Bart Ross the man.

He's a Polish immigrant who had worked as an electrician and become a U.S. citizen about 15 years ago, when he shortened his name to Bart Ross. Now, on Wednesday, he was driving through a Milwaukee suburb when police pulled him over on a routine traffic support. Before the officer could even talk to him, Ross put a gun to his head and killed himself.

Investigators found information in the vehicle that indicated Ross had something to do with the murders of Judge Lefkow's family. But the letter to the local NBC station here in Chicago was both detailed and graphic.

The writer describes how he waited downstairs in Judge Lefkow's home intending to kill her. But when her husband discovered him, Ross says he shot Mr. Lefkow, and then when her mother called down to see what had happened, he killed her, too.

Now, right now police have blocked off the area around Bart Ross' home in Chicago. He's lived there alone for about 10 years now, which with his dog, which the police went in and took away earlier today.

This all stems from the time about 10 years ago when Ross was diagnosed with cancer in his jaw. He was treated at the University of Illinois Medical Center, but when his jaw continued to deteriorate, he tried to sue them for malpractice.

He became more and more frustrated when no lawyers would take the case, and he eventually filed the complaint on his own. Back in September 2004, Judge Joan Lefkow dismissed that case, and neighbors say that just made him more and more angry with the entire system.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MERCEDES RIVERDA, NEIGHBOR OF BART ROSS: He told me. He told me. He came to my house and told me about it. He wanted me to lend him some money, and he was having problems with the lawsuit.

LAWRENCE: What did he tell you about the lawsuits?

RIVERDA: Nothing. That none of the courts would listen to him, and everybody turned him away. He was pretty frustrated.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAWRENCE: Yes. Again, in that letter to the local station here, the writer says that Judge Joan Lefkow was number one to kill because she had ruined his life. But investigators are looking into the possibility that he was targeting two other judges in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area as well -- Lou.

DOBBS: Chris, thank you very much. A sad and tragic story. Chris Lawrence reporting from Chicago.

Turning now to this top story of the evening, Congress today holding hearings on the enforcement of our immigration laws inside the borders of this country. The Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security heard testimony about the crisis that does face the country. They highlighted our reporting on this critical issue, in fact. One former I.N.S. agent talked about the importance of enforcement immigration laws.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL CUTLER, FRM. SPECIAL AGENT, INS: Clearly the effective enforcement of the immigration laws from within the interior of the United States is critical for our nation to gain control of its borders and to protect its citizens from aliens who come to this country to engage in criminal activities and terrorism. Our nation's inability and apparent unwillingness to enforce the immigration laws has caused our nation to pay a heavy price.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOBBS: I asked the chairman of that committee, Congressmen John Hostettler, whether he found today's testimony troubling.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REP. JOHN HOSTETTLER (R), INDIANA: Well, I'm troubled, to be honest, with what I've heard. Today we heard from witnesses talking about the -- the need for more resources to enforce immigration laws in the interior.

We appreciate the president's input as far as budgetary matters, but ultimately, it rests on Congress to do the right thing. And we expect to do that.

DOBBS: I think probably most of our viewers, Congressman, would expect our Congress, our Senate and our president, as well as our courts, to do the right thing. It's -- I think it's commendable that you would take that responsibility upon yourself. But the fact is, we are not being represented well in Washington on this issue of illegal immigration, nor border security. You and your committee have begun to change that, as has Congressman Sensenbrenner, his committee, and a handful of others.

But the fact is, this country right now is wide open. Three million illegal aliens crossed our borders last year. You -- you're documenting the sad, despairing straits we're in in terms of internal security and internal enforcement of our immigration laws and our security laws.

What in the world is to be done? We're talking three and a half years after September 11.

HOSTETTLER: Well, there's no excuse for that, Lou. There's no excuse for the foot dragging that's gone on here in Washington. But I can tell you in conversations I have with members who have gone back to their districts over the last couple of months since this new Congress has been put in place, that -- that even at many times eclipsing the concern over Social Security reform in the -- in the hearts and minds and questions of our constituents, people are asking us about illegal immigration and what we're going to do to stop it.

And so, in many of these cases that we've seen, it takes members of Congress to hear from our constituents, to hear that enough is enough and -- and to change things.

And so that's why I think that, at this time, a lot of our constituents are tired of the excuses, and they're wanting us to do something. Not just do something, but do what we promised we were going to do last year, when we said we were going to double the number of border patrol agents, triple the number of ICE agents and increase the number of detention beds.

DOBBS: And Congressman, you're a co-sponsor of Congressman Sensenbrenner's legislation, the Real I.D. Act. The guarantee was put forward by the Republican leadership that this would be attached to must pass legislation and that it would be passed in the new Congress. Do you believe that will still occur?

HOSTETTLER: I do believe that. In fact, there's a report out this morning that -- that our majority leader, Tom DeLay, has said that he would attach the Real I.D. Act to the -- to the supplemental appropriations bill that's coming through through that's going to help fund our war efforts in Iraq. So this is the type of must pass legislation that the Real I.D. Act needs to be attached to.

Now that's what we're going to do on the House side. We hope our Senate -- our Senate counterparts follow on. And I think if they're listening to their constituents, they'll do likewise.

DOBBS: But what we have seen before and as you well know, there has been nothing short of game playing on the part of the House leadership and the Senate leadership and the White House. That is, the House passes the legislation, the Senate, with the same marching orders from the White House and from the same conferences, refusing then to pass the legislation.

Do you suspect that will happen again, or are you confident that it won't?

HOSTETTLER: Well, I believe -- I'm confident that we're going to raise enough noise about this that nobody that stands in the way of putting the Real I.D. Act into law is going to feel very comfortable about what they're doing. And -- and it might take us one or two times to do this. But there are a lot of folks here in Washington, D.C., that don't like to get those nasty phone calls from their constituents. And we intend to keep the pressure on in whatever way we need to, and we appreciate the fact that you're doing it, to do what we need to do to pass this legislation.

I can tell you that there is a head of steam that is building up behind these reforms. And -- and it's our obligation to strike while the iron's hot. Now we're going to have to strike, probably, for two years now. But we're going to do it.

DOBBS: Congressman Hostettler, we appreciate you being here, and we appreciate the work that you're doing. Good luck.

HOSTETTLER: Thank you, Lou. Thank you, Lou.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DOBBS: Congresswoman John Hostettler.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is the ranking Democrat on the immigration and border security sub-committee. She says our immigration and customs enforcement agency faces nothing less than an emergency. She joins us from Capitol Hill. Congresswoman, good to have you with us.

REP. SHEILA JACKSON LEE, (D) TEXAS: Nice to be here with you, Lou.

DOBBS: Congressman Hostettler said that he was troubled and disappointed by the administration's reduction in the number of border patrol agents in the current budget, in the proposed budget, also in terms of the I.C.E. agents? Do you concur? Are you concerned as well?

LEE: Lou, I think we are united on our frustration and our sense of disbelief that in this time, some 4 years after 9/11, that we have not strengthened our internal enforcement and of course our border patrol agents and their professional needs. And that means funding, it means training and it means equipment.

Let me just share with you some of the (AUDIO GAP) Mr. Callahan who eloquently spoke of the need for boosting morale and the concern that they were not able to do very important work.

When you ask for, or when the intelligence reform bill of 2004 asked that you should have 800 I.C.E. employees or I.C.E. investigators. And that deals with, of course, people who are in place, illegal aliens who are potential terrorists and others in the country to do arm, the investigative arm, you ask for 800 and you have only 143 in the FY06 budget, that's a crisis.

When you ask for 10,000 over 5 years for border patrol agents, and that means 2,000 a year and you only get 210, that is a crisis.

And I believe that we are not divided on the fact that we must provide that kind of insurance in providing security and the safety of the homeland.

DOBBS: Do you believe, Congresswoman, that in point of fact, the Bush administration cut those numbers and put them forward in conjunction with the efforts for an amnesty program, the guest worker program that President Bush has put forward? Is there a relationship in what is effectively an open borders policy and what is effectively an amnesty?

LEE: I would not attribute, if you will, bad intent to the administration. But I hope they take guidance from the Congress. First of all, I think the program that they have, the guest workers program is is not the answer. I happen to think we're doing patchwork on immigration, and I think Americans want us to do a comprehensive reform.

Lou, you may understand that I truly believe that there is some ability to provide a pathway for legalization for those already here. The president's program is an open door and a flat-Earth theory.

What does that mean? It's a three-year program. It means that you're here for three years and you're asked to leave after three years. Does anyone realistically think that once you're invited in that you're going to leave having set down roots? So that's why I think his program is unworkable.

Let me tell you what I think will work. The president needs to sit down, obviously listening to the American people. I agree with the chairman, I think immigration is on the minds of many Americans. Sit down with the United States Congress, recognize that immigration issues, security issues are not partisan, and forge, if you will, a comprehensive solution such as what I've had offered, the Comprehension Fairness Reform Act of 2005.

We can do this with security, with enforcement and also with finding a way to address the question of 14 million undocumented in the country at this time. DOBBS: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, we thank you for being here.

LEE: Thank you for having me.

DOBBS: Congress isn't playing games with Major League Baseball. Next, members of Congress are calling on some of baseball's biggest sluggers over the use of steroids. Subpoena power is present. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DOBBS: On Capitol Hill today, the chairman of a Congressional subcommittee investigating steroid abuse in sports, called for a uniform drug tests standard for every athlete in the country. Members of that Congressional committee today, said Major League Baseball players should not be above the law. In fact, they've issued subpoenas to some of the sport's biggest stars. Bob Franken reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At spring training, no comment from Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmero, and other top players. Now forced to play hardball with Congress. Charges of steroid use have changed the field of dreams into a bad dream.

REP. CLIFF STEARNS (R), FLORIDA: Steroids are the tools of the cheater.

FRANKEN: This was just batting practice, just a warm-up for next week's scheduled hearing on baseball and steroids by another committee, the all-star game. The problem is many of the stars don't want to play. They've declined invitations to testify. But Washington politics know how to play in the big leagues too. And they've issued subpoena and are considering granting limited legal immunity.

REP. HENRY WAXMAN (D), CALIFORNIA: The American people deserve the truth, and we have a responsibility to help them find it.

FRANKEN: So Sosa, Palmero, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Kurt Schilling, Frank Thomas, and Jose Canseco, supers stars past and present, while absent any agreement, be ordered to be present next Thursday. Baseball's lawyer is crying foul because the committee could jeopardies coming criminal trials.

STAN BRAND, ATTORNEY FOR MLB: To parade witnesses in front of a Congressional committee, some of whom will be witnesses in that trial, prior to that time that occurs could, irreparably taint the process.

REP. STEVE BUYER (R), INDIANA: What, so should turn a blind eye? I don't think so.

FRANKEN: The use of steroids, of course, starts well before the Major Leagues.

DON HOOTEN, PARENT: Twenty short months ago, my youngest son Taylor (ph) took his own life.

FRANKEN: This hearing, too, featured compelling testimony.

HOOTEN: I am absolutely convinced that Taylor's use of anabolic steroids played a significant role in causing the depression severe enough to result in suicide.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: The members of Congress insist the dangers are significant enough, they need to put a harsh spotlight on the problem to educate the public. Major League Baseball says, Lou, that the members are playing way out of their league.

DOBBS: We'll see, as they say. Bob Franken, thank you.

Next, the middle class under assault. Why legislation before Congress could be a devastating blow to American families. That story is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DOBBS: We've just received word that the U.S. Senate has passed -- has just passed legislation on bankruptcy, making it far more different for families to file for bankruptcy. The measure passed in the Senate 74-25. It's the most sweeping overhaul of bankruptcy laws in a quarter century. The House will vote on the legislation next month. I talked earlier with Senator Kennedy about the fact that half of all personal bankruptcies occur because of medical and health issues, and the burden that is imposed particularly on single mothers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), M.A.: Well, just four days ago, I was at a hearing in Brighton, Massachusetts. And there was a wonderful person that stood up and said, Senator Kennedy, when is the United States Senate going to start paying attention to the kind of problems that my family are facing? You've taken care of the big corporations with the class-action bills. You're taking care of the credit card companies with the bankruptcy bills. It looks like you're taking care of Wall Street on Social Security. When will people take care of the things that I -- that really affect my family?

One of the amendments I offered this afternoon was to say we have 1 million single women that go into bankruptcy every year, and 20 percent of them go in because of deadbeat dads. Their husbands refuse to pay alimony or child support. These are hard-working women trying to provide for their children, for their families. And now under this bankruptcy bill, they're going to be swallowed up by the credit card companies and really be indebted to them for the next five years. This isn't the right way to do it. It is unfair to single moms. They didn't fail to pay their bills. It was just their deadbeat husbands.

DOBBS: And what you propose in the way of support for their single mothers would be consistent with family values. Also most people in this country have been, because of various lobbying efforts and advertising efforts, they've painted the picture of those who enter bankruptcy in this country as spend thrifts, but the fact is quite different, isn't it?

KENNEDY: It is. The basic bankruptcy judges and others say maybe it's 5 percent or 7 percent. We're all for requiring them to meet their responsibilities. But even the proponents say it's somewhat less than 10 percent, but nonetheless they're going to catch the single moms. And the reason they're going to catch the single moms is through no fault of their own, it's because of the deadbeat dads.

They're not paying alimony or child support, and they're going to -- the second very important amendment was because we have seen so much outsourcing of American jobs recently, and the loss of manufacturing jobs recently, we've seen many of these individuals who have lost their health insurance, and they also are being caught up. They're trying to provide for their family. They're trying to pay off their bills with part-time jobs. And they're just getting swallowed up by credit card debt. And they're going to be indebted to the credit cards for the next five years. Bankruptcy was always about make people pay whatever they can at the time of their bankruptcy and give them a second chance. That's the way it's been historically.

But that isn't what this bill is about. This bill, is a bill for the credit card companies, by the credit card companies, written by the credit card companies. And it will mean hard-working Americans are going to be tied to paying out to the credit card companies for years into the future.

DOBBS: Senator Kennedy, we thank you for being here. Appreciate it.

KENNEDY: Thank you very much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DOBBS: Taking a look now at your thoughts on colleges and universities in this country allowing illegal aliens to pay in-state tuition.

Adiel Cohen of New York, "why are we providing illegal immigrants in-state tuition when children of American soldiers do not get the same privilege from the states where they are stationed."

David Walker in Bluffton, Ohio, "I must not understand what an illegal alien is. I thought that illegal aliens were those who were not supposed to be in this country at all. So indeed of food stamps and drivers licenses, shouldn't they be given a one-way ticket home? I don't even know why this is an issue for debate."

Send us your thoughts at loudobbs.com. Each of you whose e-mail is read on the broadcast receives a copy of my book "Exporting America." And if you want our e-mail newsletter, sign up on the Web site loudobbs@CNN.com.

The death of an Italian security agent in Iraq has sparked an investigation and a political confrontation. That story is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DOBBS: Muslim clerics in Spain have issued a fatwa against al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. This dramatic move comes one day before the anniversary of the Madrid train bombings in which 191 people were killed. Militants claimed responsibility -- radical Islamist claimed responsibility for the attack saying they acted on behalf of the al Qaeda. A dramatic development out of Spain.

Italy's defense minister has called Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to talk about the investigation into Friday's shooting incident near the Baghdad Airport.

Joining me now, General David Grange. General, we just learned today that security had been tightened and added to that road leading to the international airport because of ambassador John Negroponte's presence. Do you think that played a role?

BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE (RET), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Well, it may have, Lou, if new elements are put on a temporary checkpoints. Was there lack of coordination between the chain of command and those running the checkpoints and the Italian liaison element that was coordinating a move? That could have been a part of it, yes.

DOBBS: And the investigation has been going on now for some time. How quickly do you expect a response? What do you expect the outcome to be?

GRANGE: Well, there will be a quick response due to the fact that it's high priority. It was a V.I.P. involved. A general officer -- a U.S. general officer has been assigned to do the investigation. And it's not only just to find out where the fault was, but to also recommend any improvements so future incidents like this do not take place.

DOBBS: Let's turn to Syria quickly, the Bush administration apparently making a decision to soften its stance on Hezbollah and its dealings with Syria in the efforts to remove Syria from Lebanon. You're reaction?

GRANGE: Well, I believe any softness comes only to the political or social entity of the Hezbollah party so they can have a true Democratic election when that takes place in May. I don't think anything changed with the terrorist arm of the Hezbollah, which is very robust, supported by Syria and Iran, armed to their teeth and has a totally different agenda. So, I think the hard-core stance against the terrorist arms remains as always, tough.

DOBBS: General David Grange, thank you.

GRANGE: My pleasure.

DOBBS: Still ahead, we'll have the results of tonight's poll, a preview of tomorrow. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DOBBS: Now the results of our poll tonight. 96 percent of you say giving legal status to illegal aliens in this country would only encourage more illegal immigration. 4 percent disagree.

Thanks for being with us tonight. Please join us here tomorrow. 2 members of congress who want secretary of state Condoleezza Rice to stand up to the Mexican government. Congressman Charlie Norwood, Congressman Dana Rohrbacher will be our guests.

And our special report, why bother coming here legal, when you can just cross our illegal status under the president's guest worker plan?

And the high cost of free trade. Tomorrow the government will tell us just how much we've since the quotas on cheap Chinese imports expired. That, and a great deal more here tomorrow. Please be with us.

For all of us here, good night from New York. "ANDERSON COOPER 360" is next.

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