Political Quotes

“last year, I spoke at one of the marches in Chicago for comprehensive immigration reform. I looked out across the faces in the crowd. I saw mothers and fathers, citizens and noncitizens, people of Polish and Mexican descent, working Americans, and children. What I know is these are people we should embrace, not fear. We can and should be able to see ourselves in them. I do not say that to diminish the complexity of the task. I say it because I believe that attitude must guide our discourse. We can and should be able to fix our broken immigration system and do so in a way that is reflective of American values and ideals and the tradition we have of accepting immigrants to our shores. I think the bill that has come to the floor is a fine first step, but I strongly believe it requires some changes. I am working with others to improve it. In approaching immigration reform, I believe that we must enact tough, practical reforms that ensure and promote the legal and orderly entry of immigrants into our country. Just as important, we must respect the humanity of the carpenters and bricklayers who help build America; the humanity of garment workers and farmworkers who come to America to join their families; the humanity of the students like my father who come to America in search of the dream. We are a Nation of immigrants, and we must respect that shared history as this debate moves forward.”