Where they stand: Should illegals be forced out? Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Last updated: Wednesday May 28, 2008, EDT 6:05 AM

Today's question: Should immigrants who are in this country illegally be thrown out? What if they have children who are citizens?

Robert Andrews, member of Congress, Haddon Heights, 50, Democrat:
"I think undocumented people ... should not be thrown out unless they've committed some horrible crime like rape or murder. ... Such individuals should be given a chance to earn a green card and earn citizenship."

Donald Cresitello, mayor of Morristown, 61, Democrat:
"They should not be thrown out. They should be given a pathway to legalization without amnesty and without citizenship. ... They can apply for citizenship through their country by getting in the back of the line." Those who don't register for legalization, and employers who hire them, should face criminal penalties.

Frank R. Lautenberg, U.S. senator, Cliffside Park, 84, Democrat:
"We have to have some comprehensive immigration reform. Tough, practical, but fair, that includes a way for them to earn legalization for people who work and contribute to our economy."

Joseph Pennacchio, state senator, Montville, 53, Republican:
"Children who are citizens through no fault of their own, historically we've considered them American citizens. Illegal immigrants who have committed crimes in this country, yes, absolutely I want them thrown out. Then we can start a greater discourse on everybody else."

Murray Sabrin, college professor, Fort Lee, 61, Republican:
"Birthright citizenship makes it very difficult for our immigration policy because children who are born here of illegal immigrants are automatically citizens and that will be creating a humanitarian crisis if their parents are deported. ... We have to look at this on a case-by-case basis, but certainly they shouldn't be given citizenship because they've broken our laws."

Richard Zimmer, lawyer/lobbyist, Delaware Township, 63, Republican:
"The appropriate way to deal with the illegal immigrants who are here is to implement a reliable employee identification system and strict employer sanctions so that the economic magnet that drew the illegal immigrants into the country into the first place would lose its effectiveness."

http://www.northjersey.com/news/njpolit ... d_out.html