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Illegal-immigration answer starts in Mexico, Biden says
• REGISTER STAFF WRITER •
December 3, 2007
By ABBY SIMON Sasimons@dmreg.com

desmoinesregister.com






Delaware Sen. Joe Biden passionately declared Sunday that the key solution to illegal immigration begins with Mexican government officials who must expand their economies to provide good jobs for those living south of the border.

"They're being irresponsible. This is the second-wealthiest nation in the hemisphere - we're not talking about Sierra Leone," the Democratic presidential candidate said. "This is a dysfunctional society."

Biden said that illegal immigration will continue, no matter how high the border fence.


He discussed the issue during a question-and-answer session with members of A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy. The nonpartisan community organization includes 30 central Iowa churches that promote discourse on issues such as health care and education. Biden is the second presidential candidate invited to speak with the group, after Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in October.

Biden noted that the issue of illegal immigration involves not only people coming across the Mexican border but also those from many countries who overstay their visas.

He said a constructive solution includes giving those in the country illegally a period to come forward and subject themselves to criminal background checks and prove they are paying taxes before earning citizenship within 10 years.

The answer was somewhat insufficient to retired teacher Judy Lonning of Des Moines, who asked Biden whether free-trade policies such as the North American Free Trade Agreement contribute to illegal immigration by driving people out of their countries as a result of a devastated economy. Biden responded in part by talking about tainted toys currently shipped to the United States from China.

"He didn't really answer my question, He didn't address NAFTA with substance, and he also switched over to defective products," said Lonning, 65.

Although she remains undecided, Lonning said she likely won't caucus for Biden.

A new Des Moines Register poll shows Biden in fifth place at 6 percent of support among likely caucsgoers.

Biden campaign manager Luis Navarro said television ads planned for this month are expected to garner support.

"As we come into the last 30 days here, look (at what) has historically happened, the top two or three candidates are going to start throwing some serious elbows," he said. "We believe that other candidates can take advantage of whatever collateral damage occurs as a result."

An estimated 300 people overflowed Cooney's Tavern in Beaverdale later Sunday, where Biden delivered a speech while standing on several cases of Bud Light.

Biden took questions from the crowd, several of which were of Irish descent, regarding his Catholic faith and abortion. Biden said he is against partial-birth abortion, but pledged to defend Roe v. Wade.

Mike Chenchar, 52, of West Des Moines, a registered independent, said he may caucus for Biden, if only based on recent debate performances.

"He's the most honest and most experienced by far, and he has the most respect of his opponents by far. I think he's the man for the job," Chenchar said.