Richardson `Disgusted' at Republicans on Immigration
By Lorraine Woellert

Nov. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson said he was ``depressed'' and ``disgusted'' to see Republican candidates ``trying to outdo each other on demonizing immigrants'' during this week's debate.

Attacking immigrants, said Richardson, the only Hispanic presidential candidate, ``is not only wrong, it's bad for the economy.'' Richardson spoke during an interview on Bloomberg Television's ``Political Capital with Al Hunt.''

Anti-immigration sentiment was evident during the Nov. 28 Republican debate. Ex-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney accused former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani of making the city into a ``sanctuary'' for illegal immigrants, while Giuliani said Romney operated a ``sanctuary mansion'' because illegal immigrants worked at his home. Richardson said Senator John McCain of Arizona is the only Republican contender with a balanced policy on the issue.

``It's unrealistic to think we're going to deport 12 million people,'' Richardson said. ``We ought to create a path to legalization.'' As New Mexico governor, Richardson allowed illegal immigrants to earn drivers' licenses and attend public colleges at in-state tuition rates.

Richardson said he would improve border security with more patrols and better technology. He called the idea of a border fence between the U.S. and Mexico ``ridiculous.''
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