Dole won't support 'amnesty'

Barbara Barrett, Washington Correspondent
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole looks at the immigration debate consuming the Senate this week and faces a quandary.

She likes the idea of letting in more farm laborers and high-skilled workers. But then, there's language that could let illegal immigrants obtain green cards and legitimacy. That, Dole said this week, amounts to amnesty.

"That's a show-stopper," she said in an interview in her Senate office.

As Washington debates the immigration issue, a pivotal question is how to handle the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants -- including an estimated 300,000 in North Carolina. The key word is amnesty.

Supporters don't use the word.

Dole's Republican colleague from North Carolina, Sen. Richard Burr, declined an interview. A spokesman said he would have a position once the "flurry" of amendments are voted on. But in a statement last week, Burr specifically did not label the deal amnesty.

"As we have seen, the word 'amnesty' is open to a wide degree of interpretation," said the spokesman, Mark Williams.

Such nuances are important, said political analyst Stuart Rothenberg of Washington, editor of The Rothenberg Political Report.

"Amnesty is nitroglycerin in this debate," he said.

But is it amnesty?

The interpretation of a single word exposes the divisive nature of the debate, not only in Washington, but across America. The issue remains especially contentious in North Carolina, where illegal immigration rates are among the nation's highest. Foreign workers -- both legal and illegal -- contribute to a wide array of the state's industries, but many residents see the influx of workers from Latin America as a problem.

A recent statewide poll found that 56 percent of North Carolinians believe undocumented Latino immigrants are a "burden." In North Carolina, 65 percent of residents also consider the immigration issue "very important" to them, according to an April statewide poll by Elon University.

"North Carolinians don't have a favorable opinion of undocumented immigrants," said poll director Hunter Bacot.

Such views could bode well politically for Dole, he said. She faces re-election next year, making her position on the bill a campaign issue. Burr isn't up for re-election until 2010.

"It's probably going to be a good issue for her to run on," Bacot said. "The numbers show that people in North Carolina aren't really happy with the situation."

Rothenberg, the political analyst, said Burr and Dole must look at the immigration issue both philosophically -- as befits their role as public servants -- and politically.

"I don't think anyone thinks Richard Burr is a squish," Rothenberg said. "Elizabeth Dole, it's more of a question. She's in more of a squeeze because [her re-election] is coming up more quickly."

Although Burr isn't talking publicly, a look at his votes so far gives some indication on his thoughts.

The pro-business senator voted Monday to proceed with debate on the whole immigration reform deal -- a procedural vote that Dole opposed -- indicated his willingness to have a discussion.

But Burr, along with Dole, supported an amendment Wednesday afternoon that would slash the number of guest workers allowed in each year.

Listening to voters

In an interview this week, Dole said she's paying close attention to residents who feel the growing number of immigrants in the state are hurting their communities. She and Burr have co-sponsored a bill requiring the deportation of those convicted of drunken driving. She also supports the deportation of all felons.

Dole said she wants to see more local law enforcement agents "deputized" to help immigration officials. She wants to see hundreds of miles of fence on the border and tamper-proof identification for employers.

"These are the kinds of impacts on people's lives," she said. "No question this is important to North Carolinians."

Washington correspondent Barbara Barrett can be reached at (202) 383-0012 or bbarrett@mcclatchydc.com.
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