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."


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