Rep. Tom Tancredo, Colorado Republican and presidential wannabe, sent a head of lettuce and a fruit basket to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff today to dispute his claim that enforcing immigration laws would cause a food shortage.

"The administration has taken hyperbole to a whole new level this time," Mr. Tancredo said.

"They are now trying to convince the public that without amnesty, the American people are going to starve? The agriculture industry and the free market has managed to keep producing through floods, droughts, and $3 per gallon gas. I doubt very seriously that a nominal increase in labor costs is going to be the end of lettuce as we know it."

National Journal's Hotline quoted Mr. Chertoff telling reporters today that "We're living in a world in which lettuce and fruit is not being picked because we are enforcing the law."

Mr. Tancredo signed the accompanying card, "Much, much more where this comes from."

-- Audrey Hudson, national security reporter, The Washington Times