Hispanic issues highlighted by Democrats, Republicans

PHOENIX -- Courting an important and growing constituency, Democrats lashed out at Bush administration immigration policies, while administration officials touted the gains Hispanics have made since the president was elected.

Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman accused the administration of using the threat of terrorism to slap new restrictions on immigration and establishing other policies harmful to minorities.

"The current policy at the border is immoral and unacceptable and we cannot use 9-11 as an excuse for not changing that policy," Lieberman said Friday.

Lieberman and Florida Sen. Bob Graham spoke by satellite feed to several hundred Hispanic activists at a convention of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, or NALEO. They stayed in Washington because of votes in Congress.

"This administration has fought tooth and nail my effort to provide health care to legal immigrants," Graham said. "The ultimate irony would be if we allowed the terrorists to win by being like them."

In response, White House counsel Al Gonzalez said: "Diversity is the greatest part of this country. We'll continue to promote affirmative action."

Eduardo Aguirre, head of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, defended his agency's record, saying he has instituted online filings and set goals of cutting processing time for immigrants.

"Legal immigrants should be greeted with open arms, not long lines," said Aguirre.

The battle for Hispanic voters is an important one. As the country's largest minority group, Hispanics make up 13.5 percent of the nation's population, with much higher proportions in border states such as Arizona.

Arizona's Feb. 3 primary is one of the early contests, and the state is getting heavy attention.

Other Democratic presidential hopefuls were arriving Saturday to hobnob with activists, who are divided about which to support.

"They haven't settled with any one candidate," said former Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros, who is backing Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.

President Bush also is making an aggressive run at Hispanic voters. He had some success in 2000, garnering 35 percent of the vote compared with 19 percent for 1996 Republican nominee Bob Dole.

"We are coming hat in hand to neither political party," said Arturo Vargas, executive director of NALEO. "It's an enviable position to be in. Both parties have to pony up and address Latino issues."

"We are increasingly becoming a swing vote," said Gabriela Lemus, of the League of United Latin American Citizens.