EDITORIAL BORDERING ON CONFUSION KERIK'S WITHDRAWAL SHOWS THE DEEP AMBIVALENCE IN U.S. OVER ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

MAYBE former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik's reason for removing himself from consideration as Homeland Security secretary really was all about a possibly undocumented nanny for whose work he did not pay taxes.

Or maybe that was just the bone he threw to the press so they wouldn't delve too deeply into the other questionable aspects of his background, like reports of extramarital affairs and supposed mob connections and questionable financial dealings.

Whatever the full truth, the nanny part of the story underscores the ambivalence that the federal government has when it comes to illegal immigration. If not even a candidate for the nation's homeland security czar and top immigration law enforcer observes the immigration laws, we have a big problem.

Even as Congress considers immigration reforms that include a law to bar undocumented immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses, America's borders remain porous. California and other Southwest states have borne the brunt of an uncontrolled influx, and get stuck with the bill for the impact on local services.

The dirty little secret is that while national leaders talk tough about keeping our borders safe, they look the other way - and even benefit from the uncontrolled growth of an undocumented underclass.

Whoever the next chief of homeland security turns out to be, this crisis isn't going to be solved until the country's leaders develop sensible policies and enforce them.