Ridge: Give illegal entrants 'status'

The Miami Herald ^ | MICHAEL VASQUEZ

[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.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

You've got to be kidding me. I thought this guy was supposed to be on OUR side?

When did you think that? This is the guy who said we can't close the border with Mexico because of "cultural and historical" ties.

[JesseHousman]

Ridge: Give illegal entrants 'status'

Deported would be the most appropriate status.

The more I see of this guy the less I care for him. He's an imbecile.

[FITZ]

With a 40% illegitimate birth rate and welfare rate, you have to question the "upwardly mobile", energetic, and Christianity part.

We should tie immigration levels to unemployment and welfare rates ---- when those are high, we obviously don't need more unskilled workers or welfare seekers.

[joesnuffy]

What's secure about intrusion into honest Americans financial records?

[joesnuffy]

The more I see of this guy the less I care for him. He's an imbecile.

Nah..like Powell..he is doing exactly what his handlers want him to -imo

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Status?

I recommend the status of FELON.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

I guess I just fail to see how this passes the muster in a conservative administration. At least this gives us ammunition to counter the Left's charge that Bush leads a far right administration.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

So, we came within an inch of court martialing and possibly imprisoning a brave, intelligent loyal soldier who's heroic actions saved the lives of many men, and on the other hand we're going to reward criminal invaders for breaking our laws and invading our country.

We are so past over as a nation.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Does the left have a single valid claim to support their charge that this is a far right admin?

It's left of moderate on it's best points.

[Dead Corpse]

Got any idea where the reset switch is on this thing?

[KantianBurke]

disgusting article ping

[Reaganwuzthebest]

At least this gives us ammunition to counter the Left's charge that Bush leads a far right administration.

The problem is it's not just rhetoric to shut up the left, this administration when it comes to immigration supports open borders.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

The problem is it's not just rhetoric to shut up the left, this administration when it comes to immigration supports open borders.

It is astounding.

[chatham]

Tell Tom to give up the new job he presently has since he is in Charge of Homeland Security.
Having Tom go to bat to gice Illegal Aliens any status only diminishes his job to keep us safe.
If Tom likes the Illegal Aliens so much let him quit his Job and move to MEXICO.
This guy is a pure MORON.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Item 2: 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. If the millions of illegal aliens in America are granted amnesty and get the vote, it will mean open immigration and a giant step toward Civil War II.

It's under there, somewhere.

[bc2]

The worst part is that no one here wants a Democratic administration for 4 years. No one wants a Democrat to take the White House.

But obviously it's time to weigh what is happening here. Is this Republican administration actually more dangerous than a Democratic one? I would like to believe from past experience that the Republican Congress would become "conservative" again if a Democrat got elected, gridlocking the govt from doing anything really really stupid and dangerous.

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.

For me, I think the Assault Weapons Ban will be the deciding factor.

[bc2]

sorry, that was supposed to be for dead corpse, not dead.

whoopsie!

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

If the AWB came to his desk and he vetoed it, I might then change my mind and vote for him, but at this point, I'll be staying home in droves.

No money to the pubs, no volunteer work, no rides to the polls, no holding signs, no pestering my family and friends to vote, no badgering the guys at the gun club. Nothing.

[MissAmericanPie]

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.''

I suppose they are not a threat unless you consider turning the USofA into a third world socialist pest hole a threat. Unless you consider rising crimes against citizens by illegals a threat. Unless you consider milking the taxpayer and robbing his economy of twelve + billion a year a threat. Unless you consider allowing Mexico to rob the taxpayers Social Security Fund of thirty four billion, as a start, a threat. Unless you think turning the US into one political party, socialist/marxist, a threat. Unless you consider making english the second language a threat. Unless you consider destroying the American spirit a threat. Unless you consider destroying the American culture a threat. Unless you consider the Balkinization of the US a threat. Unless you consider the growing aggression of Mexican police and soldiers along the border a threat.

[Sabertooth]

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.

Who's surprised?

---

To: Brian S

Ridge is setting you up for Amnesty. The argument will be made that we need to legalize the Illegals and document them, as a security matter.

This is a Trojan Horse for Bush and Rove's Amnesty, nothing less.

50 posted on 09/03/2003 8:08:28 PM PDT by Sabertooth (Arnold would let Illegals stay... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/971733/posts)

[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies | Report Abuse | LINK ]

Ridge says Mexican consular ID cards have security problems

---

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.''

How many sides does his mouth have?

"Not making them citizens" is now the bar to determine if Illegals have been rewarded for lawbreaking?

They've been rewarded for years by the malfeasance of characters like Tom Ridge.

What a disingenuous shill. Of course giving legal status to Illegals is a reward for lawbreaking. Whether that status is as a "guest worker" or by green card, it's a step to eventual citizenship, if the Amnestied Illegal so desires.