NEW YORK—The Hispanic Federation slammed possible Democratic Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. on Monday, alleging that his record on immigration isn’t up to par for New York City. Ford is a former congressman from Tennessee who is rumored to be seeking a primary challenge against current U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).
Ford voted yes on a 2005 bill that was mostly Republican-backed in the House and, if it was passed in the Senate, would possibly have charged all illegal immigrants in the U.S. with a felony, forcing them to be incarcerated for one year. Many civil rights, human rights, and religious groups opposed the bill when it first appeared.
The Federation says that Ford’s voting record on the bill makes him unfit to be a senator in New York.
“We need a senator who can be a serious and sincere voice for immigrant rights at the national level,” said Hispanic Federation President Lillian Rodriguez Lopez. “Immigrant New Yorkers need a U.S. senator who is committed to a humane immigration policy that doesn’t criminalize undocumented immigrants.”
Councilman Daniel Dromm said that Ford could not win over the city without immigrant support. “This is New York City. And New York City was built strong because of our immigrant population,” said Dromm.
Lopez said Ford has not worked with the Hispanic Federation, which advocates health and social services for Latinos. Meanwhile, Ford’s possible opposition Sen. Gillibrand, “responsibly” worked with the Federation, said Lopez, adding that the senator worked with the group to address “raids” on illegal immigrants.
Other than from the Federation, Ford has faced a slew of criticism from various pro-immigration groups. Other media outlets have been less than favorable in his portrayal, saying that Ford is a “carpetbagger.”
In an e-mail statement, Ford’s press agent Davidson Goldman says that Ford has consistently voted for immigration reform and against anti-immigration policies.
“This is an example of what happens when a distinguished record is distorted. Harold’s pro-immigration record is strong,” said Goldman. “That’s why anti-immigration groups have consistently opposed him.”
From 1999 until 2004, the e-mail says that Ford has sponsored and favored bills that were pro-immigration.
“Harold supported the Kennedy-McCain bill that sought to clearly lay out a legal path to citizenship,” said Goldman. “He strongly supports the efforts of Mayor Bloomberg and other mayors to ensure all people have access to social and emergency services without fear of reprisal. Any suggestion to the contrary is false.”
Ford was a Democratic representative from Tennessee for 10 years and did not seek re-election in the state, opting to run for Senate, which he didn’t win.
Ford trails Sen. Gillibrand among New Yorkers, according to a Marist Poll released on Monday. However, both Democratic senators trail behind former Republican Governor George Pataki, if he decided to run. Gillibrand was appointed by Gov. David Paterson after Hillary Clinton became U.S. secretary of state in the Obama administration.
Ford voted yes on a 2005 bill that was mostly Republican-backed in the House and, if it was passed in the Senate, would possibly have charged all illegal immigrants in the U.S. with a felony, forcing them to be incarcerated for one year. Many civil rights, human rights, and religious groups opposed the bill when it first appeared.
The Federation says that Ford’s voting record on the bill makes him unfit to be a senator in New York.
“We need a senator who can be a serious and sincere voice for immigrant rights at the national level,” said Hispanic Federation President Lillian Rodriguez Lopez. “Immigrant New Yorkers need a U.S. senator who is committed to a humane immigration policy that doesn’t criminalize undocumented immigrants.”
Councilman Daniel Dromm said that Ford could not win over the city without immigrant support. “This is New York City. And New York City was built strong because of our immigrant population,” said Dromm.
Lopez said Ford has not worked with the Hispanic Federation, which advocates health and social services for Latinos. Meanwhile, Ford’s possible opposition Sen. Gillibrand, “responsibly” worked with the Federation, said Lopez, adding that the senator worked with the group to address “raids” on illegal immigrants.
Other than from the Federation, Ford has faced a slew of criticism from various pro-immigration groups. Other media outlets have been less than favorable in his portrayal, saying that Ford is a “carpetbagger.”
In an e-mail statement, Ford’s press agent Davidson Goldman says that Ford has consistently voted for immigration reform and against anti-immigration policies.
“This is an example of what happens when a distinguished record is distorted. Harold’s pro-immigration record is strong,” said Goldman. “That’s why anti-immigration groups have consistently opposed him.”
From 1999 until 2004, the e-mail says that Ford has sponsored and favored bills that were pro-immigration.
“Harold supported the Kennedy-McCain bill that sought to clearly lay out a legal path to citizenship,” said Goldman. “He strongly supports the efforts of Mayor Bloomberg and other mayors to ensure all people have access to social and emergency services without fear of reprisal. Any suggestion to the contrary is false.”
Ford was a Democratic representative from Tennessee for 10 years and did not seek re-election in the state, opting to run for Senate, which he didn’t win.
Ford trails Sen. Gillibrand among New Yorkers, according to a Marist Poll released on Monday. However, both Democratic senators trail behind former Republican Governor George Pataki, if he decided to run. Gillibrand was appointed by Gov. David Paterson after Hillary Clinton became U.S. secretary of state in the Obama administration.
