US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has voiced hope for reform to the immigration system this year and rejected criticism that the United States was unwelcoming to foreigners.
Clinton this week toured Latin America, where many officials and residents have voiced outrage at a new law in the US border state of Arizona that makes it a crime to lack proper immigration papers.
In an interview with Ecuador's NTN24 television released Friday, Clinton said that President Barack Obama was "working very hard" to win congressional support for a comprehensive immigration reform package.
"He wants it to be this year," she said.
Asked if the United States was becoming increasingly xenophobic, she said: "No, I don't."
"What we believe is that Americans have always been welcoming of immigrants, but they also want to see the laws enforced," she said.
"We need laws that recognize the reality that we have many millions of people who are contributing to our country, they're working, their children are attending and graduating from school," she said.
Hillary sure sounds like she is campaigning, doesn't it? This is a hot-button issue-- one which Obama isn't doing anything to fix-- and she's making her position clear. Obviously, it's not the same position as the Republicans' or the Tea Party's.
Yep. Sure sounds like it. I'm sure the progs don't like this position, but it's necessary to establish policy and actions based on the reality of the situation.
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It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.... Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less. ~Susan B. Anthony