Eric Swalwell: “I want to thank the gentleman from California, Congressman Cardenas, for leading on this issue and for bringing together…”

“I want to thank the gentleman from California, Congressman Cardenas, for leading on this issue and for bringing together the freshman class on an issue that is important not just in California but across the country--the question about comprehensive immigration reform and whether it means jobs. We know that it's the right thing to do to welcome the 11 million undocumented immigrants into our country and to put them on a pathway to citizenship. We also know that it's good for our economy, and I am happy to be here today to talk about this. Everyone agrees right now that our immigration system is broken. It must be reformed, not in a piecemeal manner, but comprehensively to meet the needs of the 21st century. I represent a very diverse area, which includes the cities of Hayward, Union City, Fremont, Castro Valley, and San Lorenzo, California, among other cities. In those cities are some of the 11 million undocumented individuals. These are hardworking folks who come here for the same reason that our ancestors came--to make life better for themselves, their families, and their children. We should welcome that. We should embrace that they are choosing to come here to America rather than to go to other countries. It's a very good thing. Tragically, right now, these undocumented workers are in the shadows, putting them at risk for exploitation and allowing for the unscrupulous employer to drive down wages for everyone.…”