Thread: Democrats split on licenses for illegal immigrants

Democrats split on licenses for illegal immigrants
THOMAS BEAUMONT
REGISTER STAFF WRITER


December 1, 2007

Des Moines, Ia. — Democratic candidates for president disagreed tonight on whether illegal immigrants ought to be eligible for drivers licenses but took a break from the campaign’s increasingly bitter tone at a forum in Des Moines aimed at issues of concern to minorities.

But the Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum, held at North High School and broadcast live on HDNet, also was marked by frequent technical problems and wisecracks by the candidates.

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson were split on licensing illegal immigrants, an issue that tripped her up during a previous debate.

“You are asking the state, officials of the state, to in effect ratify someone who is not here legally,â€

[quote]“Well, Bill, I also think they make good vice presidents,â€

Likewise, they said they supported allowing immigrants in the country illegally to earn citizenship through a series of steps, including learning English, paying fines and back taxes and passing criminal background checks.

I believe they forgot the word illegal and it should read:
Likewise, they said they supported allowing ILLEGAL immigrants in the country illegally to earn citizenship through a series of steps, including learning English, paying fines and back taxes and passing criminal background checks. That is their past stance and the ommission of the word ILLEGAL was intentional.

"We enforce our laws, and we defend law-abiding citizens. And we reserve the benefits of citizenship for legal residents."
Matt Blunt Governor of Missouri