Critics Question Ford's Stance On Immigration
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As Harold Ford Junior took his Senate listening tour to Long Island Monday, immigration advocates were saying he's too out of touch to represent the state, especially New York City. NY1's Josh Robin filed the following report.During his tour across Suffolk County Monday, Harold Ford Junior touched on education, senior citizens and more jokes about an accent that couldn't be mistaken for being from New York.
"I'm country, I apologize if I have a funny accent," Ford Jr. said.
Back in Manhattan, though, opponents of Ford's possible bid for Senate weren't laughing. They say they're troubled by Ford's stances on immigration, at least those he took when a Tennessee congressman and candidate for U.S. Senate there.
"We are deeply concerned about his ability to represent the interests of well-being of Latinos and immigrants in the State of New York. So that's why I'm here today," said Hispanic Federation President Lillian Rodriguez Lopez.
Of particular concern is a bill that passed the house of representatives around Christmas 2005 with Ford's support. It would require businesses to verify the legality of all employees through a national database and declare illegal immigrants and those who help them to be felons.
While he was a candidate for U.S. Senate in Tennessee, Ford Jr. touted that same vote and a tough stance on what he referred to as "illegals" during an ad that criticized his then-opponent for using undocumented workers on an apartment building.
On Monday, Ford Jr. did not directly answer the question of whether he stands by the vote, or why he voted for the bill. He said he was for broad immigration reform, including a path to citizenship to those who were not here illegally and keeping families whole. He also said the federal government needed to alleviate the burden immigration had left to local local law enforcement.
"I supported efforts to provide education opportunities, college opportunities, to kids who may have had family members that were illegal immigrants," Ford Jr. said.
Gillibrand was not in Congress at the time of the bill, but she also has been vilified for her record on immigration. That included opposition to amnesty, legalizing driver's licenses for illegal immigrants and making english the nation's official language.
She's since softened some of her stances, like those on other issues and met with immigration groups -- a path Ford Jr. may have to follow to win over voters before the Democratic primary.