Oregon's illegal immigration debate flared anew this week.
(SALEM – AP) - Oregon's illegal immigration debate flared anew this week when a Republican legislator contended she and others had been branded as "racists" by an employee of Democratic Secretary of State Bill Bradbury.
Representative Linda Flores of Clackamas raised the issue at a Capitol rally yesterday where protesters gathered to demand that driver's licenses and voting rights be granted only to immigrants who can prove they are citizens.
A political commentary by Bradbury's communications director, Anne Martens, said immigration reforms were being promoted by people who are "anti-immigrant" and "anti-Mexican." She said it is time to call it what it is: racism.
Flores said she is outraged and plans to take the matter up with Bradbury. Martens, meanwhile, is unapologetic and says the view is her own and not job-related. The three Republican candidates for the gubernatorial nomination are advocating a tougher stand against undocumented foreigners.
Blog Posting on Illegal Immigration Ignites TiffSalem-News.com