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GOP pol's immigrant license comments leave a bad taste

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BY JOE MAHONEY
DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF

Tuesday, October 30th 2007, 4:00 AM



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ALBANY - Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco was accused of striking a low blow at Latinos Monday after suggesting those demanding driver's licenses for illegal aliens won't be happy unless they get "the whole enchilada."

Thousands of immigrants from Mexico - where the enchilada is a traditional dish - would be among those who would qualify for no-frills licenses under Gov. Spitzer's revised plan.

Tedisco, a Republican from upstate Schenectady, made the crack while noting how some Spitzer supporters are upset that he abandoned his initial one-size-fits-all license proposal that would have allowed illegal immigrants to get the same state document as U.S. citizens.

"Some of his supporters want the whole enchilada and not just a portion of it," Tedisco said inside his state Capitol office.

"His statement is out of order and he should make an apology to the Mexican people," said Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D-Brooklyn), who was raised in Puerto Rico.

Tedisco used "code words that demonstrate what his true motives are," Assemblyman Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) claimed.

But Tedisco, who has frequently appeared on national cable TV news shows to bash the Spitzer license plan, said he was simply noting the governor is running out of allies - and he meant no offense to anyone.

The phrase the whole enchilada, he emphasized, happens to be a "colloquialism used by all types of nationalities."

Two Hispanic-Americans on Tedisco's staff, Michael Cuevas, his counsel, and Juan Carlos Polanco, director of his New York City operation, said their boss holds no prejudices toward any ethnic group.

"The expression he used is part of the American lexicon," Cuevas said.

That explanation did not impress Bronx native Debra Martinez, president of the Grand Council of Hispanic Societies in Public Service.

"This is just more fear-mongering against Hispanics, which to me is totally racist and totally disrespectful behavior," she said, contending Tedisco's mention of the enchilada was "a subliminal reference" to Latinos.

jmahoney@nydailynews.com



Discuss this Article 104 comments so far. Add Yours!

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HomeGrownPatriot
Oct 30, 2007 6:25:08 PM
What is more important ? deporting illegal Aliens, or Homeland Securtiy.------ ANSWER: BOTH . By deporting them you remove the cancer that is taking jobs, bloating our prison system Raping our Health care and removing the a possible attack against us. Did these people CHOOSE to come here ?... ANSWER YES. and in the case of the mexican government, they have been provided pamphets to show them HOW TO GET IN AND GET A JOB and SEND The money back home!. If they where Refugees, this government has programs for them to come in and be documented. BOTTOM LINE. ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL and Sneaking across any Governements border is an act of INSURGENCY. Stop with this political correctness. ENFORCE THE LAWS and Secure our Borders NOW then address immigration so that people whom deserve to come here can.

mmmmmm
Oct 30, 2007 2:11:06 PM
What it is more important to you, Homeland security or figthing to deport illegal aliens that sooner or later will be deported if they do not have status in the US. Homeland security can not be set aside.

Point of View
Oct 30, 2007 7:51:24 AM
Is "David P" the only one who truly gets it. I think they need to get all future NY Governors to live in NYC, so they can see what needs to be done to hlep the people of New York State as a whole. Spitzer will not be a second termer. Why should hardworking citizens and legal residents of NY pay for the ills of illegal immigrants and the effect they have on the local and US Economy? We pay the highest insurance rates in the nation for things like health, auto and homes to mention a few. Having a drivers license is a privelage which should only be given to people who are legally able to obtain one. With the way the Stock Market is going these days, Spitzer concerns should be to people he serves.....that be us and not illegals.

hjo4
Oct 30, 2007 6:47:45 AM
what it is more important to you, Homeland security or figthing to deport illegal aliens that ---------------There is no either or by deporting illegal aliens.We be providing the best Homeland Security we can give our nation.What you refuse to accept is that once someone enters the US illegally that is first of series of crimes they commit.They deserve no consideration for citizenship.The only thing we should give them is a one way ticket back to their country of origin.IMO in the end Spitzer will cave on the whole drivers license issue.

DaveP
Oct 30, 2007 12:55:59 AM
Piont of View- Spitzer says a Metrocard is a privilege? Did that jerk EVER ride a a subway? FromDay #1, a drivers license has been considered a privilege. Why? Because they can revoke it if you screw up, you take a test to get one, and you need oodles of ID. For a Metrocard all you need is money. Every time he opens his mouth he sticks his foot in further. He's going to be a one-term governor.




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