Gov. Tim Pawlenty's controversial report on the cost of illegal immigration apparently has created an emerging political storm that will play out in the 2006 legislative session and next year's elections.
The report, which estimates undocumented immigrants and their children cost Minnesota taxpayers about $175 million a year for state services, may have roused a "sleeping giant" in immigrant communities that have been politically apathetic until now.
Pawlenty told a group of police chiefs Thursday that illegal immigration is a large and growing problem that will be at the top of his public safety agenda in the coming legislative session.
Meanwhile, Democrats accused the Republican governor of using illegal immigration as a wedge issue to "fire up his base" of social conservatives. They said it was part of a national strategy on the part of Republicans.
Technorati tags: immigration Minnesota Tim Pawlenty illegal immigration
No comments:
Post a Comment