Thread: Senator: Comments on immigrants taken out of context

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/s ... 37,00.html

Allard plays down criticism of remark
Senator: Comments on immigrants taken out of context

By Judith Kohler, Associated Press
June 29, 2005

Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., played down Democrats' criticism of his linking illegal immigration with crime and accused the state Democratic Party of its own stereotypes.

A May 27 story in the Greeley Tribune quoted Allard as saying the more illegal immigration there is, "the more crime you have." The story was about his opposition to a bill that would allow undocumented workers to apply for permanent residency.

Colorado Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak called on Allard to apologize and assailed his remarks as "another example of Republican attitudes toward the Latino community."

Allard said Tuesday that his comments to the paper were taken out of context. He said he was referring to smugglers who abandon or enslave illegal immigrants and are involved in drug and crime rings. He said he never mentioned ethnicity and, in fact, based his remarks on media accounts of the plight of women and children from around the world.

"I think the chair of the Democratic Party owes an apology to the Hispanic community for identifying all illegal immigrants as Hispanics," Allard said.

Discussion of illegal immigration usually alludes to Hispanics because most of the undocumented workers in Colorado come from Mexico and other Latin American countries, Waak said.

"Nobody's confused here about what was meant and what was said," she added.

Tribune Editor Chris Cobler said the reporter denies misrepresenting what Allard said. He said he had no reason to doubt that Allard was denouncing people who traffick in illegal immigrants.

"But I strongly believe our reporter when he says that's not what (Allard) said," Cobler added. He said Allard's office didn't complain after the story was published.

Nearly 30 percent of Greeley's 76,930 residents are Hispanic, according to census figures.

State GOP Chairman Bob Martinez said his party is the only one trying to deal with illegal immigration while Democrats produce only "rhetoric and obstructionism."

"As a Hispanic and a Republican, I am deeply offended by Pat Waak's generalization and subtle support for illegal immigration and all the problems it entails," Martinez said.

Waak said she became aware of Allard's remarks Monday after hearing from the head of the state Democratic Party's Latino Initiative. She said they were similar to recent statements by U.S. Reps. Bob Beauprez and Tom Tancredo, both Colorado Republicans, which "not only offend the Latino population in Colorado but manage to draw a racial divide on the issue of immigration policy."

Tancredo, a leading opponent of illegal immigration, has accused Denver of harboring illegal immigrants and revamping its libraries to cater to Spanish-speakers. Democrats criticized Beauprez, considering a run for governor next year, after he recently voiced frustration with Mexico over the wait to extradite a man suspected of killing a Denver police officer.

Beauprez said he had vacationed in Mexico and knew "what Mexican time is." He later said he meant no offense, but felt Democrats were politicizing the issue.

Allard echoed that complaint. He said that although he opposes illegal immigration, he supports allowing in immigrants to fill jobs Americans don't want.

"They're badly needed in the tourist industry, agriculture and construction, to name a few," Allard said. "Without them, our economy would be hurting in Colorado."

State GOP Chairman Bob Martinez said his party is the only one trying to deal with illegal immigration while Democrats produce only "rhetoric and obstructionism."

"As a Hispanic and a Republican, I am deeply offended by Pat Waak's generalization and subtle support for illegal immigration and all the problems it entails," Martinez said.

I guess this cuts the legs right out from under Ms. Waak-job's arguments, now doesn't it?