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Clinton: Undocumented workers should have a chance to stay

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

2:19 PM EST, March 8, 2006

WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a potential White House candidate in 2008, on Wednesday dove into the charged debate over immigration, saying undocumented workers should have a chance to stay in the United States.

Clinton, D-N.Y., spoke out on the U.S. immigration policy after largely staying out of an issue that has roiled Congress in recent months and spurred a number of conflicting proposals.

The senator was to speak Wednesday afternoon at a rally of Irish immigrants seeking changes in U.S. policy. Many of those in the crowd traveled from New York, where she is up for re-election this year.

In a four-page public letter to constituents, Clinton steered away from specifics, but said she does support allowing at least some of the estimated 11 million undocumented workers to earn citizenship.

Such reform should include "a path to earned citizenship for those who are here, working hard, paying taxes, respecting the law, and willing to meet a high bar for becoming a citizen," Clinton wrote.

"I do support providing undocumented workers with the opportunity to earn legal status in this country," she said.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., offered legislation that would allow immigrants to eventually become legal U.S. residents.

President Bush has argued for a temporary worker program that would allow illegal aliens to keep their jobs in hotels, restaurants, nurseries, agriculture and other businesses that depend on low-wage laborers.

Neither effort has gained much momentum, partly due to fierce resistance from others within the GOP.

Last week Specter said emotions on the immigration issue are running high and he has seen "virtually no agreement on anything."

Clinton's missive was sent to those who have contacted her office about the immigration debate, similar to one she sent in 2004 seeking to clarify her position on the Iraq war.

In her letter, she avoids supporting or opposing any specific proposals save one -- a bill offered by the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis, which she said would "target and criminalize the undocumented and punish those who would provide them with humanitarian assistance."