AG Candidates Talk Immigration; Issue Gets Little Play at Convention

While the immigration issue rages nationally, Wisconsin Democrats spoke sparsely on the topic during this weekend's convention. Gov. Doyle made a passing reference to those who "brought their values with them from other states and other countries" in his speech last night.

U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., spearheaded the House legislation that would make illegal immigration a felony, along with other provisions. The Senate has passed a different version of the legislation, including a plan to allow the estimated 11 million or so illegal immigrants in the country now an avenue toward achieving legal status.

Illegal immigration has become an issue in the AG race after both Dem candidates -- Dane Co. Exec. Kathleen Falk and incumbent Peg Lautenschlager -- appeared at a pro-immigration rally earlier this spring.

GOP candidate Paul Bucher this week also said the state has paroled at least 77 illegal immigrants from the prison system in the last three years. He pushed a proposal for state law enforcement agencies to buy into a federal program designed to give local law enforcement officers the power to fully enforce federal immigration laws.

Falk and Lautenschlager sat down with WisPolitics to talk about their views on immigration. Both support the Senate version of the legislation and are opposed to Sensenbrenner's bill.

Falk defended a Dane County policy that prohibits public employees from inquiring about someone's immigration status unless required by state or federal law.

Hear her talk about it:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/Falk_1.mp3

She also addressed Bucher's proposal. Listen here:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/Falk_2.mp3

Lautenschlager said the national debate over illegal immigration is "creating a race war." Listen here:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/Lautenschlager_1.mp3

She also responded to Bucher's proposal. Listen here:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/Lautenschlager_2.mp3