Published Feb. 13, 2009 - Albany Times Union

No one should be surprised that Gov. David Paterson's appointment of Kirsten Gillibrand to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton has ignited a firestorm in the Hispanic community.

Until now, Gillibrand has been a fierce opponent of enlightened immigration reform, and it's hard to understand how the governor of a state with so many immigrants — 21 percent by some estimates — could be so insensitive.

To her credit, Gillibrand apparently has begun to modify some of her positions. On Jan. 24, she told a New York TV station that the United States should "ensure that anyone who wants to work in this country has a way to stay here legally."

That's encouraging, and although we remain skeptical, we hope her new responsibilities will translate into a more sophisticated and enlightened approach to lawmaking.

Gus West
Board Chairman
The Hispanic Institute
Washington, D.C.