I'm not sure if Bernard Kerik knew his housekeeper was an illegal alien or not, but as the Police Commissioner of New York City you figure he'd do his homework. I think the man is qualified for the position of Director of Homeland Security, but I also have a twinge of happiness in this occurring. People care about this illegal alien problem we have and I'm happy to see people paying for their hiring of these individuals.

Now if we could just nail some employers who keep these lawbreakers coming into our country illegally.

Yahoo/AP

In a surprise move, former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik abruptly withdrew his nomination as President Bush's choice to be homeland security secretary Friday night, saying questions have arisen about the immigration status of a housekeeper and nanny he employed.

...

In a statement separate from his resignation letter, Kerik said the problematic issue arose as he was completing documents required for Senate confirmation. "I uncovered information that now leads me to question the immigration status of a person who had been in my employ as a housekeeper and nanny. It has also been brought to my attention that for a period of time during such employment required tax payments and related filings had not been made."

...

Giuliani said in a telephone interview Friday night that he had discussed the immigration issue with Kerik and agreed with his decision.

"I'm disappointed that this had to happen, but I think it's the right decision, the only decision given the kind of issue that's involved here," Giuliani said. "The homeland security secretary has responsibility for immigration services."

Kerik's "nanny problem" recalls the controversies that faced several of former President Clinton (news - web sites)'s candidates to fill prominent positions. Attorney Zoe Baird, who was Clinton's first choice to be attorney general, was forced to withdraw her nomination after the disclosure she had not paid Social Security (news - web sites) taxes for a housekeeper — an illegal immigrant — as required by law.

Lani Guinier, a Clinton classmate at Yale University Law School, was the president's choice to head the Justice Department (news - web sites)'s civil rights division until it was learned that she had not paid taxes for a domestic worker. Similarly, the nomination of federal judge Kimba Wood to be attorney general never went forward after the disclosure that she had hired an illegal immigrant as a baby sitter. She had paid the required Social Security taxes and broke no laws.

Tipped by: Wizbang

Other Commentary:

The Galvin Opinion
PoliBlog
PoliPundit
Blogs For Bush
Slowplay.com

Originally posted at Diggers Realm

Posted by Digger at December 11, 2004 04:58 AM | TrackBack