Richardson’s immigration plan is tough yet humane

The uproar over Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s driver’s license plan for some immigrants who live in New York without proper documentation is another example of why the nation needs comprehensive reform at the federal level. The National Conference of State Legislatures reportedly claims that more than 1,400 measures related to immigrants were introduced in state houses across the country during the first half of 2007. Most of these proposals undoubtedly are less generous to immigrants than Gov. Spitzer’s. In any event, state and local governments have spoken, but President Bush and Congress have failed to articulate a coherent immigration policy.

In that regard, the actions and positions of Gov. Bill Richardson make the most sense. As the governor of a border state (New Mexico), Richardson is the only Democratic candidate for president that has dealt on a daily basis with the effects of immigration.”*

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