|
o |
 |
|
Former Japanese Concentration
camp in Florence, Arizona |
|
|
WASHINGTON (By Jennifer Talhelm, Associated
Press) June 24, 2006 A Republican gubernatorial candidate's call for
creation of a forced labor camps for undocumented immigrants drew rebukes
Friday from two GOP lawmakers, who labeled it a low point in the immigration
debate.
Don Goldwater, nephew of the late Sen. Barry Goldwater, caused an
international stir this week when EFE, a national news agency of Spain,
quoted him as saying he wanted to hold undocumented immigrants in camps to
use them "as labor in the construction of a wall and to clean the areas of
the Arizona desert that they're polluting."
Goldwater, a candidate for governor in Arizona, said in a statement Friday
that his comments were taken out of context. He said he was calling for a
work program for convicted non-violent felons, similar to "tried and tested,
effective and accepted practices" used by state and local jails.
But two Republicans, Arizona Sen. John McCain and Rep. Jim Kolbe, called
Goldwater's comments "deeply offensive" and asked state Republicans to
reject his candidacy in the Sept. 12 primary.
"That Mr. Goldwater is either unaware of or indifferent to the loaded
symbolism, injustice and un-Americanism of his 'plan' to address the many
serious issues caused by illegal immigration reveals his flaws as a
candidate and a stunning lack of respect for the basic values of a generous
and decent society," McCain said in a statement.
Kolbe said that if the comments are true, Goldwater "has demonstrated his
complete unworthiness for public office, and I am confident he will be
soundly rejected by Republicans from the party of Barry Goldwater, who
consistently demonstrated his compassion and respect for all people. This is
a sad day in the national debate on immigration policy."
