Excerpt from....
Conference on Immigration and National Security: Remarks by Tom Ridge
FrontPageMagazine.com | February 8, 2002
Editor's Note: On January 29, the Center for the Study of Popular Culture sponsored a conference on Immigration and National Security at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, DC. Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge was the keynote speaker. A transcript of his remarks appears below, along with an introduction from David Horowitz.
QUESTION: [Unintelligible]. The fact that he [Bush] wants to give amnesty to illegal aliens. Could you speak to that?
GOVERNOR TOM RIDGE: That he wants to do what with illegal aliens?
QUESTION: Give amnesty to illegal aliens. I know that [unintelligible], which I've heard him say. How can he give amnesty? How can he justify giving amnesty to illegal aliens?
GOVERNOR TOM RIDGE: Well, I don't think the President --- you may be more familiar with a specific statement to this regard than I am. But I think the President, as well as Congress, in previous years, has debated the notion as to whether or not perhaps people who have come to this country, some of them illegally, some of them with visas whose visas expire, therefore they're here illegally as well --- if they have been in this country, if they have proven to be a productive citizens, if they've engaged in their communities, supporting their schools --- if those around the caliber and the qualities that they bring to their community, we may want to consider treating them a little bit differently than just outright lawbreakers. But that is always a contentious issue and a potentially divisive one. But I don't believe the President has come down with that affirmed decision in that regard. Yes?
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Portland
(Maine) Press-Herald -- February 10, 2004 Ridge will probe immigration sweep after illegals whine U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Monday he will investigate a January immigration sweep in Portland that sparked significant local criticism because armed agents targeted the Preble Street Resource Center homeless shelter and minority-owned businesses. --- The sweep resulted in 10 arrests, but provoked outrage in Portland...  |
 What Security? |
Miami Herald
- December 10, 2003 Ridge: Give invading foreigners 'status' Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Tuesday that he believes the vast majority of illegal immigrants in the United States are not a threat to national security and should be given "some kind of legal status.'' -- Ridge's comments came during a town hall meeting at Miami Dade College... [Contact Bush and demand that Ridge be fired] |
