WNYC is doing a series of 30 issues in 30 days and yesterday Steven Camarata, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies, and David Caicedo, president of the board of directors of Wind of the Spirit, an immigrant resource center based in Morristown, talked about the gubernatorial candidates' positions on immigration issues. Here's the audio of the interview:They talked about how NJ has one of the larger immigrant population and said that 1 out of 4 adults in the state is someone who is not a US Citizen at birth according to the census ranking NJ in the top 5. They talked about illegal immigration and the burden on the state through the use of services and programs. They spoke of the role a Governor can play as opposed to that of the Federal Government, mentioning the 287 G program and E-verify.
Moving to the politics of the issue, Steve Cammarato said that candidates treat the issue like they're putting a hand into an open flame. Looking at their websites, the only mention of immigration is on Corzine's web page talking about developing immigration recommendations.
David Caceido then came on the show talked about the difference between immigration policy including a path to citizenship versus immigration inforcement. He talked about some of the problems of profiling that come along with 287G and the action that the Attorney General has taken. They talked about LG candidate Guadagno's support for 287G as Sheriff in Monmouth County and her disagreement with the Attorney General. By contrast, they talked about Corzine's opposition to 287G saying there is no purpose for it in his administration.
