Path to legalization needed, GOP candidate Whitman says

2:00 a.m. October 29, 2009

Gubernatorial hopeful Meg Whitman toured the border near San Ysidro yesterday.   John R. McCutchen / U-T - San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Pre

SAN YSIDRO — With the San Ysidro border fence as her backdrop, Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman spoke out on immigration policy issues yesterday, saying it is “simply not practical” to deport the estimated 12.5 million illegal immigrants living and working in the United States.

The candidate, 53, said the solution is to find a mechanism that allows them to live here legally. “Can we get a fair program where people stand at the back of the line, they pay a fine, they do some things that would ultimately allow a path to legalization?” she asked.

Whitman also urged tougher measures against those who hire undocumented workers, and said that as governor “I would be an advocate . . . for the people of California to make sure we really do secure this border.”

The former chief executive of online auction company eBay made her remarks after a two-hour ride-along with two U.S. Border Patrol agents.

Though immigration is a federal issue, the governor “has to weigh in much more heavily on getting the federal government to fulfill its responsibility of paying for border control, of helping to pay for illegal immigrants that are in our prisons,” Whitman said.

Since declaring her candidacy in February, Whitman has spoken on immigration issues several times. She has said that had she lived in California in 1994, she would have voted against Proposition 187, a measure intended to deny education, health care and other services to illegal immigrants. Voters passed it, but its major provisions were overturned in court.

Others seeking the Republican nomination are Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former Rep. Tom Campbell. The Democratic candidates are Attorney General Jerry Brown and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Yesterday, Whitman reiterated her opposition to “sanctuary cities,” which pass local resolutions to protect illegal immigrants in their jurisdictions.

During her tour of the border, Whitman said agents told her they had enough people in the sector but wanted more technology, such as infrared cameras, to do their job.

The border tour “increased my sense of urgency, and wanting to make sure that the federal government takes responsibility for the resources to get the job done,” Whitman said.

Union-Tribune

Sandra Dibble: (619) 293-1716