Thread: NJ-Christie blasts tuition plan for illegals

Christie blasts tuition plan for illegals
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Last updated: Thursday April 2, 2009, 8:03 AM
BY ELIZABETH LLORENTE
NorthJersey.com

Former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, a leading Republican gubernatorial candidate, called "astonishing" Governor Corzine's vow this week to help pave the way for undocumented immigrants to attend state public colleges at in-state tuition rates.

In a brief written statement, Christie also criticized a special advisory panel established by Corzine in 2007 to examine ways in which New Jersey can integrate both its legal and illegal immigrants into the social, civic and economic sectors of the state.

The Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy on Monday released a report that, among other things, spoke of the need to help New Jersey's estimated 500,000 undocumented immigrants by allowing them to pay in-state tuition, and making sure that contractors do not cheat them out of the pay they've earned.

"The recommendations of Governor Corzine's panel disregard the need for security, fairness and the right priorities in this tough economic environment," Christie said.

The panel also expressed support for driving privileges for illegal immigrants, who are prohibited in New Jersey from obtaining a driver's license.

But the panel said that the state should first consult with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, citing concerns among many that giving people here illegally a license, or special driver's card, might threaten national security by allowing terrorists to use the official documents to board planes and open bank accounts.

Corzine said Monday that even though he agreed with most of the recommendations in the report, he did not support a state move to grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

"Providing drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants in these dangerous times is a clear national security risk," Christie said, referring to the panel. "And Governor Corzine's support of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants when his budget slashes property tax relief and increases taxes on so many New Jerseyans is astonishing."

Corzine's staff declined to respond to Christie's comments, saying the governor made his positions on various issues clear on Monday.

Last year, proponents of tough immigration enforcement criticized Christie who, in a speech in Dover before a Latino organization, said that being in the U.S. illegally was a civil offense, not a crime.

After critics said the statement made Christie appear to be soft on illegal immigration, his spokesman said Christie had simply answered a narrowly worded question and had not meant to defend entering the country illegally.

Former Bogota mayor Steve Lonegan, another leading Republican gubernatorial candidate, did not respond to several calls requesting a comment on the panel's recommendations and Corzine's statements.

Meanwhile, Mexican government officials praised the panel's recommendations and Corzine's support of most of them.

Approximately 200,000 Mexicans live in New Jersey, according to officials of the Mexican consulate in Manhattan. The community includes a large number of undocumented immigrants, according to community leaders.

Ruben Beltran, Mexico's consul general in Manhattan, said in-state tuition rates would not only help undocumented students "but the entire state, which will have better educated folks."

He lamented Corzine's refusal to support driving privileges for illegal immigrants.

"A license should be viewed as simply a permit to drive," Beltran said.

"It does not give status, it is not a visa, it is not a passport. It just ensures that a person is driving within the rules and regulations of a state."

Former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, a leading Republican gubernatorial candidate, called "astonishing" Governor Corzine's vow this week to help pave the way for undocumented immigrants to attend state public colleges at in-state tuition rates.


Christopher Christie also criticized a panel's recommendation to give illegal immigrants driving privileges. In a brief written statement, Christie also criticized a special advisory panel established by Corzine in 2007 to examine ways in which New Jersey can integrate both its legal and illegal immigrants into the social, civic and economic sectors of the state.

The Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy on Monday released a report that, among other things, spoke of the need to help New Jersey's estimated 500,000 undocumented immigrants by allowing them to pay in-state tuition, and making sure that contractors do not cheat them out of the pay they've earned.

"The recommendations of Governor Corzine's panel disregard the need for security, fairness and the right priorities in this tough economic environment," Christie said.

The panel also expressed support for driving privileges for illegal immigrants, who are prohibited in New Jersey from obtaining a driver's license.

But the panel said that the state should first consult with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, citing concerns among many that giving people here illegally a license, or special driver's card, might threaten national security by allowing terrorists to use the official documents to board planes and open bank accounts.

Corzine said Monday that even though he agreed with most of the recommendations in the report, he did not support a state move to grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

"Providing drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants in these dangerous times is a clear national security risk," Christie said, referring to the panel. "And Governor Corzine's support of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants when his budget slashes property tax relief and increases taxes on so many New Jerseyans is astonishing."

Corzine's staff declined to respond to Christie's comments, saying the governor made his positions on various issues clear on Monday.

Last year, proponents of tough immigration enforcement criticized Christie who, in a speech in Dover before a Latino organization, said that being in the U.S. illegally was a civil offense, not a crime.

After critics said the statement made Christie appear to be soft on illegal immigration, his spokesman said Christie had simply answered a narrowly worded question and had not meant to defend entering the country illegally.

Former Bogota mayor Steve Lonegan, another leading Republican gubernatorial candidate, did not respond to several calls requesting a comment on the panel's recommendations and Corzine's statements.

Meanwhile, Mexican government officials praised the panel's recommendations and Corzine's support of most of them.

Approximately 200,000 Mexicans live in New Jersey, according to officials of the Mexican consulate in Manhattan. The community includes a large number of undocumented immigrants, according to community leaders.

Ruben Beltran, Mexico's consul general in Manhattan, said in-state tuition rates would not only help undocumented students "but the entire state, which will have better educated folks."

He lamented Corzine's refusal to support driving privileges for illegal immigrants.

"A license should be viewed as simply a permit to drive," Beltran said.

"It does not give status, it is not a visa, it is not a passport. It just ensures that a person is driving within the rules and regulations of a state."


http://www.northjersey.com/news/njpolit ... 08352.html

Nice! I was wondering if Christie would make this move or not. The fact that he has says a great deal. I am glad that Chris Christie is standing with the public against licenses and in-state tuition for illegals.

This spells the end for Governor Corzine.

W

Ruben Beltran, Mexico's consul general in Manhattan, said in-state tuition rates would not only help undocumented students "but the entire state, which will have better educated folks."

He lamented Corzine's refusal to support driving privileges for illegal immigrants.

"A license should be viewed as simply a permit to drive," Beltran said.

"It does not give status, it is not a visa, it is not a passport. It just ensures that a person is driving within the rules and regulations of a state."

They don't OBEY rules and regulations, that's why they're ILLEGAL aliens DUH!
The answer is still HELL NO!

Do you realize illegals get a fake driver's licenses then turns around drops the insurance on the cars?

Originally Posted by vmonkey56

Do you realize illegals get a fake driver's licenses then turns around drops the insurance on the cars?

Yep. They also get a new ID after they get pulled over or fined, skip on the fine.

One can only hope. Does anyone think that it will be the end for NC Governess Beverly Perdue when she soon gets around to flip-flopping on this issue here in NC?

added to homepage

NJ GOP Gov Candidate Christie blasts Corzine's tuition plan for illegals

ALIPAC NOTE: We encourage you to contact Chis Christie's campaign for Governor in NJ and thank him for his public opposition to Corzine's push for taxpayer funded in-state tuition for illegal aliens. His website is at www.christiefornj.com

http://www.alipac.us/article4101.html

I am glad that Christie finally mentioned this.

Chrisite really needs to get some ad campaigns showing Corzines support for illegals and at the expense of NJ taxpayers. He can even go as far as saying that by cracking down on illegal immigration he can find the money to cut property taxes.


Most middle class folks are not really aware of the damage caused by illegals until they lose their jobs or some other tragedy happens.

I mean its not like Christie is going to get the votes from the families of illegals anyway. Most of their family members who manage to get fake ID's to cast votes are going to vote for democrats no matter what.

Plus there is that ever increasing welfare roll of illegals that is going to bankrupt NJ. Christie needs to show proof of how Corzine is failing NJ not just saying he is failing.
What I would do is show a chart of the middle class who has been leaving NJ to go to other states. Then another chart showing the influx of illegals and others who don't pay taxes entering NJ for free government services.

By showing this and urging people to do their own research. One can quickly notice how it all turns into a simple math problem. More people accepting assistance from the government and less people paying taxes means more taxes for the few who are still left in the state. The fact that Corzine is bragging about increasing taxes on the middle class and still climbing in the polls is proof of everything I have said here. No middle class person in their right state of mind would ever ask for more taxes.

If Corzine wins again I am not going to rest until I leave NJ.

P:S: New Jersey pays the highest property taxes in the world not just the country. I have done my research and my jaw dropped when I found out the truth of NJ property taxes. Another thing do we really need all these stadiums.

It is very a bold and patiotic move for Christie to stand against allowing illegal aliens in-state tuition. I think he will win because he sides with the majority of citizens.