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Cruz Bustamante on Immigration

Democratic Lt. Governor; former Candidate for CA Governor


Give undocumented workers driver's licenses

Q: Do you support the proposal to allow undocumented aliens to receive driver's licenses?

BUSTAMANTE: That's correct. Let me address the driver's license for those people who are working. By definition, a farmworker works. By definition a hotel worker is working. We have a substantial number of people who are here today who are working, and taking care of their families and providing us the benefit of the labor. Labor that you and I do not do, and in fact, would not do. I know because I came from those areas and those fields in the Central Valley. I've picked peaches and done the kind of hard labor that has been out there in those fields. You know what? I'm glad that I'm out. Those people who are doing it-I respect them for the work that they do. If it takes a driver's license for them to get to work, to take care of their families, get their kids to school and take care of the seniors, let them go to some kind of a doctors appointment, I'm for giving them a driver's license.

Source: Recall debate in Walnut Creek Sep 3, 2003

Give undocumented workers all basic government services

Q: Is there any government service that you believe undocumented aliens should not receive?

BUSTAMANTE: There are a lot of services that are given to citizens that clearly are not eligible for those who are here illegally. But for the basic needs, for someone who gets injured, they should be receiving emergency medical care. I think they should be eligible to have their children go and get a good education. They are here, paying taxes. They pay $1400 more a year than they get back on assistance.

Source: Recall debate in Walnut Creek Sep 3, 2003

Give immigrant students same rights to attend UC

This issue is about fairness for high achieving high school students. Those who succeed should not be discriminating against because of their family immigration status. Many of these students have lived in California since they were in elementary school. These immigrant families, like the pioneers before them, work hard every day. These students are not going to receive a free ride. They still will have to pay in-state student fees, just like any other Californian. This equates to roughly $4,000 a year.
Source: Remarks on AB 540 -- Tuition Break for Immigrant Students Feb 23, 2002

Other governors on Immigration: Cruz Bustamante on other issues:
AK Frank Murkowski
AL Bob Riley
AR Mike Huckabee
AZ Janet Napolitano
CA Arnold Schwarzenegger
CO Bill Owens
CT Jodi Rell
DE Ruth Ann Minner
FL Jeb Bush
GA Sonny Perdue
HI Linda Lingle
IA Tom Vilsack
ID Dirk Kempthorne
IL Rod Blagojevich
IN Mitch Daniels
KS Kathleen Sebelius
KY Ernie Fletcher
LA Kathleen Blanco
MA Mitt Romney
MD Bob Ehrlich
ME John Baldacci
MI Jennifer Granholm
MN Tim Pawlenty
MO Matt Blunt
MS Haley Barbour
MT Brian Schweitzer
NC Mike Easley
ND John Hoeven
NE Dave Heineman
NH John Lynch
NJ Jon Corzine
NM Bill Richardson
NV Kenny Guinn
NY George Pataki
OH Bob Taft
OK Brad Henry
OR Ted Kulongoski
PA Ed Rendell
RI Don Carcieri
SC Mark Sanford
SD Mike Rounds
TN Phil Bredesen
TX Rick Perry
UT Jon Huntsman
VA Tim Kaine
VT Jim Douglas
WA Christine Gregoire
WI Jim Doyle
WV Joe Manchin III
WY Dave Freudenthal
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