Illegal Immigration Watch: White House Compares Illegal Immigration to Traffic Ticket

U.S. Border Patrol agent Gus Soto loads illegal immigrants into a vehicle near Arivaca, Ariz., Friday, May 26, 2006. The Legislature approved a bill Thursday that would criminalize the presence of illegal immigrants in Arizona and provide $160 million to help authorities in the nation’s busiest illicit entry point with their immigration crackdown.

Examiner.com: White House compares illegal immigration to speeding

The White House on Friday said a Senate bill that would grant legal status to illegal immigrants is analogous to a traffic law that allows a speeder to pay a fine and continue driving.

“If you had a traffic ticket and you paid it, you’re not forever a speeder, are you?” White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said in response to questions from The Examiner.

“So the fact is, you have paid your debt to society,” he added. “And we have come up with a way to make sure that the debt to society gets paid. Then you move forward.”

The “traffic ticket” analogy raised eyebrows on Capitol Hill, where many House Republicans regard illegal immigration as a grave crime.

“I don’t know if Tony meant to trivialize it or not,” said Will Adams, spokesman for Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo. “But it’s certainly misleading.”

No, Representative Trancredo, Flap reads the White House loud and clear:

AMNESTY

NOT ONE DIME NOR ONE VOTE!