If California businesses have exhausted the state’s labor pool and still can’t fill all their jobs, they should be free to hire from abroad so long as those workers have visas, Schwarzenegger said, adding he’d let the “geniuses in Washington” address what to do about workers already here illegally. Ted Kennedy, John McCain and Dianne Feinstein for helping to push the issue to the fore, and he urged the rest of Congress not to “debate about what is best for politics instead of what is best for our country.” Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is running for re-election, said during an appearance in San Francisco Tuesday that “the federal government has got to get their act together” where immigration policy and border security are concerned. “It criminalizes undocumented workers in this country, which isn’t good for public safety, the budget or the problem of illegal immigration at all,” Velasquez said. Westly spokesman Nick Velasquez said the controller opposes the House bill. Though Angelides’ aides later told reporters the treasurer opposes the House bill, Democratic gubernatorial campaign for controller Steve Westly accused Angelides of dodging the question of where he stands on immigration issues. “I’m not familiar with it, but if you send me some information today I can give you an answer later,” Angelides answered. On Friday, Univision TV says it asked Angelides about a House of Representatives bill that would make it a felony to be in the United States illegally, impose new penalties on employers who hire illegals and build more fences along the U.S.-Mexican border.

SACRAMENTO – Amid a national debate and protests on immigration, state treasurer and potential Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Angelides said he was unaware of core issues before Congress and was trying to repair the politically damaging comment Tuesday.Īsked one of the questions he’s bumbled about illegal immigrants on KGO Radio in the Bay Area, Angelides said, “I’m prepared for you today.

Caught flat footed