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Ridge: Give illegal entrants 'status'
The Miami Herald ^ | MICHAEL VASQUEZ

Posted on 12/10/2003 5:18:44 AM PST by Klickitat

Ridge: Give illegal entrants 'status' A top Bush administration official suggests at a town hall meeting in Miami that illegal immigrants should be granted limited legal status. BY MICHAEL VASQUEZ mrvasquez@herald.com

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Tuesday that he believes the vast majority of illegal immigrants in the United States are not a threat to national security and should be given ``some kind of legal status.''

Ridge's comments came during a town hall meeting at Miami Dade College in response to a question from the audience about whether offering amnesty to illegal immigrants might make them easier to track and make the country safer.

While saying any changes in immigration laws would have to be approved by Congress, Ridge said he believed there was growing momentum to change the way the nation dealt with illegal immigrants.

''I'm not saying make them citizens,'' Ridge said. ``They violated our laws to get here. You don't reward that kind of conduct.''

Ridge provided no further explanation about how granting illegal immigrants limited legal status would work and what rights such a status would carry. A telephone call to a spokesperson for Ridge seeking further comment was not returned.

But the remarks by a key member of President Bush's cabinet suggests a shift in tone toward illegal immigrants.

Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration placed greater emphasis on protecting the nation's borders, enacting measures to thwart terrorists.

Efforts in Washington at reforming immigration policy essentially were put on hold. And immigrant advocates have said they perceive many of the Bush administration's national security measures to be anti-immigrant.

As a result, Ridge's comments caught some immigrant advocates off guard.

''I had no idea the [Bush administration] was seriously considering it,'' said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.

Little said most antiterrorist initiatives adopted by the Bush administration jeopardize national security by making illegal immigrants distrustful of authorities.

Those supporting stricter U.S. immigration policy criticized Ridge's comments. Dan Stein, executive director of the Washington-based Federation for American Immigration Reform, said granting illegal immigrants additional rights would encourage more to head for U.S. borders.

''What security objective is accomplished by encouraging further lawbreaking?'' Stein asked. `

Stein said he believed that some illegal immigrants given limited legal status would provide authorities false biographical information.

The issue of granting illegal immigrants certain rights has proven volatile. Former California Gov. Gray Davis, citing post-Sept. 11 security concerns, vetoed a bill last year that would have allowed illegal immigrants to obtain California driver's licenses. A year later, facing a tough recall campaign, Davis signed a bill with fewer security safeguards. Some voters viewed Davis's turnabout as a political ploy to please the Democratic Party's Latino wing and the controversy contributed to Davis' defeat.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aliens; culturewar; government; illegal; illegalimmigration; illegalmexians; illegals; immigrantlist; immigration; immigrationstatus; invasion; multiculturism; republicanturncoats; rewardingcrime; tomridge
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To: grania
And this guy, who supports the invaders, is in charge of Homeland Security ??

The lunatics are in charge of the asylum...

61 posted on 12/10/2003 1:06:13 PM PST by Joe Hadenuf (I failed anger management class, they decided to give me a passing grade anyway)
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To: Fast 1975
I'll only support open borders if the rest of CATO's agenda is enacted- end public education, medicare, medicaid, minimum wage and social security.

The CATO Institute takes quite a few positions I agree with, including welfare reform and gun rights. On immigration though they're out in left field.

62 posted on 12/10/2003 1:24:28 PM PST by Reaganwuzthebest
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To: TLI
I have a new name for their status since the pols bow to PC and won't call a criminal a criminal.

Export.

63 posted on 12/10/2003 1:28:36 PM PST by Hillarys Gate Cult (Proud member of the right wing extremist Neanderthals.)
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To: dagnabbit
Let's see - what to do on November 2, 2004? Fishing or bowling?

Write in Tancredo.

64 posted on 12/10/2003 1:35:03 PM PST by sarcasm (Tancredo 2004)
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To: NRA2BFree
Ping.

Just one more baby-step taken on the road to the Republic's demise.

65 posted on 12/10/2003 1:38:11 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: Klickitat
"Ridge said he believed there was growing momentum to change the way the nation dealt with illegal immigrants."

You're d****d right there is Tom. We want them the h*ll out! What part of "illegal" do you not understand???

66 posted on 12/10/2003 1:48:53 PM PST by sweetliberty (Better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.)
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To: Klickitat
"You don't reward that kind of conduct."

Precisely; so why are we even having this discussion?

67 posted on 12/10/2003 1:51:07 PM PST by sweetliberty (Better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.)
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To: quack
"Does this mean I can "work around" the laws while I'm trying to get my landscaping business started?"

Sure, if you change your name to Ramirez or Gomez and pretend you can't speak English.

68 posted on 12/10/2003 1:55:51 PM PST by sweetliberty (Better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.)
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To: Klickitat
Let's see....they're benefitting from taxpayer financed food, medical, housing, education programs and Lord knows what else.....if this the kind of punishment they get for breaking our laws I'd sure hate to see them given any more "rewards".
69 posted on 12/10/2003 2:01:00 PM PST by american spirit (ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION = NATIONAL SUICIDE)
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To: the gillman@blacklagoon.com
"If Illegal aliens are allowed to vote, even in local elections, it will be another unmistakable signal that American citizenship, and therefore America itself, is finished."

Don't lopok now, but they have been for awhile and the RATs fight hard to prevent any legislation that would prevent it.

70 posted on 12/10/2003 2:16:34 PM PST by sweetliberty (Better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.)
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To: ZULU
"The next thing you know, he will be suggesting a color coding system for illegal aliens - Arabs red, Mexicans orange, etc."

He can't do that. That would be racial profiling. < /sarcasm >

71 posted on 12/10/2003 2:24:16 PM PST by sweetliberty (Better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.)
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To: sarcasm
"Let's see - what to do on November 2, 2004? Fishing or bowling? "

"Write in Tancredo."

LOL!! That is a GREAT idea!!

72 posted on 12/10/2003 2:36:23 PM PST by Klickitat
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To: truthandlife
Remember, Ridge would not be saying this unless he received permission from his boss. I guess it is all about winning an election not what is best for the country. Very sad. I guess that Bush is really worried about winning Florida. If he doesn't win Florida, he losses in 2004 and I guess this is the way he thinks he will win it. I really do believe Rove has been bad for Bush.

Not a good week for conservatives. First the pill bill, then Campaign Finance gets upheld and finally, this with Ridge.

73 posted on 12/10/2003 3:21:36 PM PST by ClintonBeGone
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To: Klickitat
Good call Tommy! Let's pardon all prisoners @ Guantanamo and let all rapists and murderers out of prison too!
74 posted on 12/10/2003 4:09:53 PM PST by xrp
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To: conserv13
I agree with you that not implementing these measures constitutes a threat to national security and negligence, on the part of the federal government, in its duty to protect and police the borders and to protect the American people.

Why do you not consider the constitutional amendment that I recommended to be a good idea?

75 posted on 12/10/2003 4:23:05 PM PST by Savage Beast (Has The Fall of California been averted--or merely postponed???)
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To: gubamyster
While saying any changes in immigration laws would have to be approved by Congress

I sure hope Tancredo and the Caucus can put a stop to this in the House of Reps.

Ridge said he believed there was growing momentum to change the way the nation dealt with illegal immigrants.

He's right about that. Growing momentum to have the government start doing its job and deport the illegals. Typical politician.

76 posted on 12/10/2003 5:07:11 PM PST by Missouri
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To: All
Don't kill the messenger. An announcement like this has been signed off on by Rove/Bush.
77 posted on 12/10/2003 5:30:36 PM PST by LanaTurnerOverdrive
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To: bc2
I think the Assault Weapons Ban will be the deciding factor.

GWB better pray that thing doesn't see the top of his desk, because he would sign it if it does. He was very clear about his intention to do so during the campaign, and I suspect he would keep his word. And yep, it would be the icing on the cake for me as well -- he wouldn't get my vote.

78 posted on 12/10/2003 5:41:24 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: LanaTurnerOverdrive
An announcement like this has been signed off on by Rove/Bush.

Exactly right. The people who exclusively blame Ridge for this are the same people who get mad at Colin Powell for his occasionally unfathomable policy statements regarding Israel and the Middle East --- it all comes from the top.

79 posted on 12/10/2003 5:43:58 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: bc2
Does everyone hold their nose again, or will enabling these liberal Republicans only create more of a problem than staying home and allowing a Democrat to become President.

Staying home isn't enough if you believe grid-lock is better. I am voting for Pat Toomey for senate, and I'm considering voting for Dean for president.

80 posted on 12/10/2003 5:45:13 PM PST by rmmcdaniell
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