Riordan supports amnesty for invaders

Riordan supports amnesty for [illegal] immigrants

He's the only GOP contender for governor to back Bush's proposal for undocumented residents.

January 26, 2002

By MARTIN WISCKOL
The Orange County Register

IRVINE Richard Riordan emerged as the only top Republican gubernatorial contender to support amnesty for undocumented immigrants when the three major GOP candidates appeared Friday at a Hyatt Irvine forum co-sponsored by Hispanic 100 and the Lincoln Club of Orange County.

The former Los Angeles mayor further distinguished himself by advocating education and health care for undocumented immigrants already in the country.

"I believe every child, every person that comes into this world has a God-given right to education and health care, whether they are legal or illegal," said Riordan.

Riordan's message was well received by many in the audience, which has seen the growing Hispanic voter base in California turn toward the Democratic Party since 1994's Proposition 187 - a Republican-supported measure that tried to deny most public benefits to undocumented residents.

These change-minded Republicans point to President George W. Bush's proposal of amnesty for Mexican immigrants already in the country and say such steps are both fair and necessary to win the Hispanic vote. GOP gubernatorial candidates Bill Jones and Bill Simon oppose the amnesty.

"These candidates have a president who is leading," said Carlos Olamendi, a restaurateur and co-founder of the Orange County-based Hispanic 100. "Some of these candidates still need to work (their positions) out more."

Olamendi gained his legal status thanks to the 1986 immigration amnesty and holds himself up as an example of the value of such programs.

"I'm an immigrant, and I and my friends are bringing these candidates here," he said. "This is historic."

The newly formed Hispanic 100 is a nonpartisan group of Hispanic business owners who want to have a voice in the political process. It co-hosted the event, which drew about 240 people, with the Lincoln Club, a longstanding county Republican group of business people.

Secretary of State Jones, who supported Prop. 187, explained his opposition to amnesty after the breakfast forum.

"I'm opposed to illegal immigration, and I don't think you cancel out (the crime) if you offer amnesty," he said.

Businessman Simon has taken a similar position.

"He believes amnesty rewards illegal behavior," said Simon spokesman Jamie Fisfis.

Simon opposed Prop. 187 because he thought it should be a federal - not state - issue, but "generally is opposed to the use of taxpayer funds for illegal immigrants," said Fisfis.

Riordan did not take a public position on Prop. 187 and later said that he should have publicly opposed the measure.

While Republicans are eager to attract more voters, some continue to support the immigration philosophies of Jones and Simon.

"We were promised that we would have no more problems with immigration after the last amnesty - but we have an even bigger problem, with illegal aliens using services other people need," said Lupe Moreno, chairwoman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Orange County, which hosted Jones after the Hispanic 2000 event. "Aren't we, as Republicans, supposed to stand for something? We're going to lose support if we keep watering things down."