Conrad Burns asks for the Green Card of Guatemalean House Painter [View All]

[LynneSin]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/22/politics/main1926341.shtml

GOP Senator In Hot Water Over Remarks
'Tough On Immigration' Conrad Burns Implies Own Employee May Be Illegal

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2006
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(AP) Republican Sen. Conrad Burns, whose re-election campaign is pressing for tighter immigration controls, referred to his house painter as “a nice little Guatemalan man” and suggested that worker as well as employees of a roofing company he hired might be in the country illegally.

“The other day, the little fella who does our maintenance work around the house, he's from Guatemala, and I said, 'Could I see your green card?’” Burns said at a June meeting recorded by Democrats. “And Hugo says, 'No.' I said, 'Oh gosh.’”

Burns spokesman Jason Klindt said the worker, Hugo Reyes, is legally in the United States, owns a painting company and the senator “never had any doubt” that Reyes is a legal resident.

“He was telling an anecdotal story about a time he took the extra step to make sure a worker was legal,” Klindt said.