Thomas Gerard Tancredo is an American politician, most notably a former Republican U.S. Representative for Colorado's 6th congressional district from 1999 to 2009. He is a prominent figure in conservative politics and a staunch advocate for strict immigration policies, often described as an 'immigration hawk.' Prior to his federal service, he was a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from 1977 to 1981 and served as president of the conservative Independence Institute think tank from 1993 to 1998. He ran for President of the United States in the 2008 Republican primary and later served as the Constitution Party's unsuccessful nominee for Governor of Colorado in 2010. Tancredo's career has been marked by numerous controversies, primarily stemming from his outspoken views on immigration and Islam. He has advocated for a moratorium on all immigration and supported English-only policies. He has also been criticized for comments perceived as racially charged. He has maintained associations with organizations labeled as anti-immigrant by civil rights groups.