White House compares illegal immigration to speeding<\/p>\n
Bill Sammon, The Examiner
\nMay 26, 2006 5:13 PM (4 hrs ago)<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON – The White House on Friday said a Senate bill that would grant legal status to illegal immigrants is analogous to a traffic law that allows a speeder to pay a fine and continue driving.<\/p>\n
“If you had a traffic ticket and you paid it, you’re not forever a speeder, are you?” White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said in response to questions from The Examiner.<\/p>\n
“So the fact is, you have paid your debt to society,” he added. “And we have come up with a way to make sure that the debt to society gets paid. Then you move forward.”<\/p>\n
The “traffic ticket” analogy raised eyebrows on Capitol Hill, where many House Republicans regard illegal immigration as a grave crime.<\/p>\n
“I don’t know if Tony meant to trivialize it or not,” said Will Adams, spokesman for Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo. “But it’s certainly misleading.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n