Ala.Rep. Gubernatorial candidate Moore: tighten immigration
Moore says tighten immigration
Thursday, December 01, 2005
WILLIAM THORNTON
News staff writer
Republican gubernatorial candidate Roy Moore said Wednesday that President Bush's recent policy stance on immigration shows he is "waking up" to a growing problem.
"It shows the states do matter, because that's who's been leading on this issue," he said. "It's time we closed our borders.
The former Alabama chief justice, who announced his candidacy in October, said he is for legal immigration, but maintains that illegal immigrants sap the nation's economic strength.
Moore had a busy day, speaking to the Leeds Rotary Club, a group at the University of Alabama and a group at a Northport church. Before a lunchtime crowd of about 30 in Leeds, Moore restated several policy positions on taxation and legislative reform as he vies for next year's Republican nomination.
Immigration was one issue Moore touched on during a 20-minute address. He is calling for legislation to impose fines and penalties on employers of illegal immigrants. Bush on Tuesday called for tighter borders with an increase in border patrol agents and a guest worker program granting limited work rights for illegal immigrants.
Moore said employers who rely on illegal immigrants are costing Alabama taxpayers in liability issues. He also blasted policies that allow immigrants to take the driver license examination in languages other than English.
"If you can't read the language on the test, then you can't read the signs on the streets," he said. "That's just common sense."
E-mail: wthornton@bhamnews.com
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