http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/09/nyreg ... oref=login

March 9, 2006
Clinton Suggests Legalizing Some Immigrants
By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ
WASHINGTON, March 8 — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton waded into the contentious issue of immigration on Wednesday, opening the door to the idea of letting some illegal immigrants earn legal status in the United States.

Mrs. Clinton made her remarks as members of Congress found themselves deeply divided over the question of how to deal with the millions of illegal immigrants working in the United States.

In December, the Republican-led House passed one of the toughest border security bills in more than a decade, seeking to make it a federal crime to live in the United States illegally. The legislation would turn millions of immigrants into felons who would be ineligible to win any legal status.

The bill was approved over the objections of some business leaders and moderate Republicans, who support President Bush's drive for a comprehensive plan that would grant millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States a right to work here temporarily. The Senate has yet to settle on its own plan to address the issue.

Currently, living in this country without a document like a visa or a green card is a violation of civil immigration law, not criminal law.

In a letter to constituents, Senator Clinton, who has largely steered clear of the debate until now, criticized the bill passed in the House, saying it would "target and criminalize the undocumented and punish those who would provide them with humanitarian assistance."

Mrs. Clinton, who is up for re-election this year in New York, was referring to a provision in the House bill that would make it a federal crime to offer services or assistance to illegal immigrants. Churches, social service agencies and immigration groups across the country have sharply criticized that provision.

In her letter, Senator Clinton did not propose specific legislation to deal with the issue of illegal immigrants working in this country. But she did say she supported the idea of giving the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants "the opportunity to earn legal status in this country."

Senator Clinton said that national security is being placed at risk because the country has an enormous population of people "we know nothing about."

"The suggestion that enacting stricter and more enforceable deportation laws alone can solve this problem ignores reality," she said in her letter. "This will only force the undocumented deeper underground."

Mrs. Clinton said that although she opposed granting unconditional amnesty to illegal immigrants, the country needed a program that encouraged such people to come forward and identify themselves.

"For those who work hard, pay their taxes, continue to obey the law and demonstrate a commitment to this country, the opportunity to eventually earn citizenship should also be available," she said.

"A program such as this is not a free ride, and it certainly is not for everyone," she continued. "Legal status must be earned, as it was by previous generations of immigrants who became citizens through perseverance and hard work."