Immigration Reform Quotes - Page 2

• When you take comprehensive, then we're dealing with certain issues like full citizenship ... And whatever else we disagree on, I think we would agree on that that's a more toxic and contentious issue, granting full amnesty.

  Herbert Spencer

  Thinking, Issues, Immigration

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• You wouldn't replace your carpet at home if you still had a hole in the roof...We're talking about any time you start waving a carrot such as American citizenship without securing the borders, that number [of undocumented immigrants] that we have today I believe will double or triple.

  Lou Barletta

  Believe, Home, Talking

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• It's amnesty that America can't afford. We have to stop people from coming in illegally. This will be a green light for anyone who wants to come to America illegally and then be granted citizenship one day... The majority that are here illegally are low-skilled or may not even have a high school diploma. The Republican Party is not going to compete over who can give more social programs out. They will become Democrats because of the social programs they'll depend on.

  Lou Barletta

  Party, School, Light

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• All I can tell you is what I see at home- a lot of lessons learned from '86. That, 'OK, we'll go one-time amnesty and after that we'll really be good.' But nobody believes it this time, nobody believes it.

  Michael C. Burgess

  Believe, Home, Lesson Learned

  "Lone Star rising". www.politico.com.

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• People have a pathway to citizenship right now: It's to abide by the immigration laws, and if they have a family relationship, if they have a job skill that allows them to do that, they can obtain citizenship.

  Bob Goodlatte

  Jobs, Law, Skills

  "Meet The Virginian Shaping The House GOP's Immigration Plan" by David Welna, www.npr.org. February 21, 2013.

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• But simply someone who broke the law, came here, say, 'I'll give you citizenship now,' that I don't think is going to happen.

  Bob Goodlatte

  Thinking, Law, Giving

  "Meet The Virginian Shaping The House GOP's Immigration Plan". "Morning Edition" with David Welna, www.wfdd.org. February 21, 2013.

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• So I think there's going to be a constituent backlash against this thing soon, as they see it moving in that direction...Whether they can pass something before the American public wakes up, I don't know.

  Steve King

  Moving, Thinking, Immigration

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• Even Republicans seem to think that these undocumented Democrats could be made [GOP] voters...and what happens is that two out every three that would be legalized [and] become Democrats. And it's not 12 million. It's more like 20 million...But it isn't just the equation of 2/3 of over 20 million that will vote for the guy who opposes our conservative candidate whoever that might be, but it's also those who will leave us if we fail them...We have to go back and tie together and restore the pillars of American exceptionalism and the rule of law is essential.

  Steve King

  Thinking, Law, Two

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• I thought that conclusion that we leaped to right after the election, that has been disproven statistically so many times, I don't know why Republicans would advocate that advocating for comprehensive immigration reform is somehow a political solution for the Republicans losing a percentage of Hispanics. I probably have less appetite for this than either the Senate or colleagues in the House, certainly the Democrats and most likely members of the Republican Conference. They are still wrestling with trying to get their education up to a level where they can actually advocate for policy.

  Steve King

  Wrestling, House, Political

  "Immigration talks gain momentum". www.politico.com.

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• A special pathway to citizenship is off the table... when I talk to members of the group in the Senate, they're saying that we're both saying the same thing.

  Raul Labrador

  Special, Pathways, Immigration

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• Any new pathway to citizenship is completely off the table ... [Illegal immigrants should be able to get citizenship] the same way as any other immigrant has to do it ... You have to apply for legal permanent residence, be it family-based or employment-based. You shouldn't be treated worse than the people doing it the right way, but I think it would be unconscionable for us to treat them better than the people who are doing it the right way.

  Raul Labrador

  Thinking, People, Pathways

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• Extending amnesty to those who came here illegally or overstayed their visas is dangerous waters...We are a nation of laws, and I will evaluate any proposal through that matrix.

  Jim Sensenbrenner

  Law, Water, Immigration

  "House group secretly crafts immigration plan". www.politico.com.

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• It would cost Americans their jobs when they have to compete with millions of more [immigrants] for scarce jobs.

  Lamar S. Smith

  Jobs, Immigration, Cost

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• American taxpayers will be forced to foot the bill for the overwhelming costs of amnesty. Under current law, once 11 million illegal immigrants receive probationary status, they will immediately have access to federal benefits like Social Security and Obamacare coverage. If we thought we had a problem with government spending before, just wait.

  Lamar S. Smith

  Government, Law, Obamacare

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• I worry that the Senate is working to consider a series of little-noticed provisions in comprehensive immigration reform that may provide a pathway to a national ID card for all individuals present in the United States - citizens and noncitizens.

  Rand Paul

  Worry, Pathways, Immigration

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• Our immigration policy should be driven by what is in the best interest of this great country and the American people. Comprehensive immigration reform will strengthen U.S. security and boost economic growth.

  Charles Rangel

  Country, People, Growth

  "Oscar for Valid Dreamers" by Rep. Charles Rangel, www.huffingtonpost.com. March 6, 2014.

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• Lost in much of the national debate about immigration reform is how Democrats ultimately stand to gain electorally with any legislation or executive action that would put the newly legalized residents on a path to voting.

  Aaron Klein

  Voting, Immigration, Reform

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• We have to do immigration reform while the pro-deportation crew is still reeling.

  Hillary Clinton

  Immigration, Reform, Deportation

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

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• When politicians talk about immigration reform, they usually mean the following, amnesty, open borders, lower wages.

  Donald Trump

  Mean, Immigration, Reform

  "Transcript of Donald Trump's Immigration Speech" by Travis Dove, www.nytimes.com. September 1, 2016.

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• Immigration reform should mean something else entirely. It should mean improvements to our laws and policies to make life better for American citizens.

  Donald Trump

  Mean, Law, Immigration

  "Transcript of Donald Trump's Immigration Speech" by Travis Dove, www.nytimes.com. September 1, 2016.

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• Hillary Clinton and I believe in comprehensive immigration reform. Donald Trump believes in deportation nation. You've got to pick your choice.

  Tim Kaine

  Believe, Choices, Immigration

  Source: www.politico.com

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• I have been for border security for years. I voted for border security in the United States Senate. And my comprehensive immigration reform plan of course includes border security.

  Hillary Clinton

  Years, Immigration, United States

  Transcript of the Third Presidential Debate, www.nytimes.com. October 20, 2016.

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• I happen to believe in immigration reform but I don't believe that that means that every person who has come into America should be able to stay.

  Andrew Breitbart

  Believe, Mean, America

  Source: latinalista.com

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• Like, for example, way back then,[George W.] Bush could have passed immigration reform, just like [Barack] Obama could have when he first came in. And both of them passed on it, so now they leave it for now.

  Rudy Giuliani

  Immigration, Example, Reform

  Source: www.realclearpolitics.com

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• I am glad to see the wheels are moving at last toward comprehensive immigration reform after last year's election. I am glad that immigrants are speaking up.

  Andrew Lam

  Moving, Years, Speaking Up

  "‘Birds of Paradise Lost’: A Conversation With Author Andrew Lam". Interview with Anna Challet, www.huffingtonpost.com. March 5, 2013.

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