Nathan Deal: “But there is one point of view we should all agree with, and that is we are a nation of law. It is our responsibility to…”

“But there is one point of view we should all agree with, and that is we are a nation of law. It is our responsibility to make that law. It is our responsibility to forge support for the concept of law. This is a situation, as I view it, in which the prerequisite that is indisputable for eligibility under 245(i) is that you be in violation of the law. Mr. Speaker, can one think of any other statute that we have that says to qualify for the provisions of this statute, you must be a law violator? I can only think of one. That is where, in order to get a pardon, you must be in violation of the law and we forgive your sins and pardon you. Mr. Speaker, that is what we are doing here. We are saying you are in violation of the law; no matter how well intended, no matter how many family members you have here, no matter how many employers you have that say they are willing to give you a job, you are in violation of the law. If we are a nation of laws, we ought to abide by it, respect it, and enforce respect on behalf of those who are citizens and noncitizens.”