Homeland Security Chief Endorses Legalizing Undocumented Immigrants

[jayfish]

Story

-SNIP-
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge told a Miami audience Tuesday that the country should legalize millions of undocumented immigrants living in the country.

"The bottom line is, as a country we have to come to grips with the presence of 8 to 12 million illegals, afford them some kind of legal status some way, but also as a country decide what our immigration policy is and then enforce it," Ridge said at a town hall meeting at Miami-Dade Community College.
-SNIP-

Hmmm... how does this jive with Heir Gropenators, Republican backed, repeal of the law that gave undocumented workers a drivers license in Cali.? Politicks as usual.

Jay

[pinto]

1. would be a great plus for CA undocumenteds....

the brouh ha ha about licences was just that. People drive when they need to regardless of licensing. Highway Patrol knows that. Everyone does. That was a So CA boogey man issue.

Seriously, though, legalizing immigrant workers, and legalizing transient workers - these are two different issues here in CA -would be a great move for the states and feds.

I know there's lots of other politics in the Florida situation, but as a Californian, I support legalization. I suspect Tx, Az and NM folks would do the same. Here in the West/Southwest we've spent waaaay too much time and money "defending" the border from people looking for a job.

[ConcernedCanuk]

2. AHA - there we have our "cannon-fodder" - no need for the draft !

. . and how many believed that this would just be a "humanitarion" move ??

. . - na nah

- these "privileged" people will be first on the "enlistment" list is my bet -

- but I's jus' a dumm cynical Canuk

. . :dunce: . .

[sistersofmercy]

5. Excellent point eom

[Capn Sunshine]

6. Holy shiite!

You're completely correct!
USArmy already has apolicy in place for aliens :serve a combat hitch and four years and you qualify for citizenship

or you can get it the quick way: posthumously with a KIA

[pinto]

7. Hi ConcernedCanuck

It's more nuanced than that down here. California has had an ongoing issue with cross border movement for its history as a US state. As did the Mexicans, before it was ceded to the US.
We've got thousands of transient workers following the pick up and down the state (and the West Coast) and thousands of resident Mexican, Guatamalan, Costa Rican, etc. nationals in our society.
And thusands cross every day looking for work.
Bush* and Fox almost had a real smart agreement about undocumented workers arranged then it all went sour.....
It's parochial to say, but maybe the political stuff in Florida will help CA and the rest of the West pick up on those initiatives.

ed for sp.

[bluestateguy]

3. Well I guess he won't be on the ticket in 2004

[plcdude]

4. there will be

some backpeddling on this one. The conservative wing will not be pleased.

[loudnclear]

8. He only meant if for FL undocuments...

not CA.

[pinto]

9. Hi. Ridge said "the country" and I'd like to hold him to it. eom

[louis-t]

10. Reagan did it in '86

Bush* tried to do it before 9/11. In Bush*s case, he thought that it would only involve Mexico. He has no concern for illegals, just wants to be able to say that # of illegal immigrants is down under his watch.

[PaDUer]

11. He'll get them voting

R's.