Thursday, 4:30 PM
Healey, Patrick trade barbs over immigrant driver's licenses
(AP Photo/Bizuayehu Tesfaye)
Republican Kerry Healey alleged at a press conference today that Democrat Deval Patrick would give illegal immigrants driver's licenses as governor -- a claim his campaign rejected.
By Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent
Almost as quickly Republican Kerry Healey launched a new ad today attacking her opponent, Democratic Deval Patrick fired back.
The topic was driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, and the 30-second spot from the Healey campaign alleged that Patrick would give illegal immigrants driver's licenses that "will allow them to board airplanes and receive government benefits."
"Even Bill Clinton and John Kerry oppose that bad idea," a voice over on the commercial says.
The Healey campaign touted the ad in a press released headlined: "Deval Patrick rolls out the welcome mat for illegal immigrants."
Patrick's communication director Richard Chacon followed with a press release of his own.
"Kerry Healey is either unfamiliar with a new federal law or chooses to ignore it in order to mislead voters.," Chacon said in a written statement. "A new federal law passed last year provides clear rules for states to follow for drivers’ licenses and other government-issued identification cards."
The Patrick statement included a description of the 2005 federal Real ID Act that it said made proof of US citizenship or legal immigration papers a requirement for any state identification card.
"By raising a moot subject, Kerry Healey is once again trying to change the subject from her administration's own failed record of cracking down on state contractors who hire undocumented immigrants," Chacon said.
