Political Quotes

“Reserving the right to object, for well over 8 months, my friend and distinguished colleague, the senior Senator from Illinois, has been publicly blocking legislation protecting the children of immigrant workers. Now there is something called the Protect Children of Immigrant Workers Act. He comes to the floor asking that we pass this bill by unanimous consent--a bill that, as he notes, was introduced just yesterday. Well, we must pass this right now, he says, because these children shouldn't have to suffer 1 more hour. With all due respect, they could have had relief months ago. They can still have relief today. I have taken the time since yesterday to review Senator Durbin's legislation, and I cannot support it. This legislation allows the children of H-1B workers to remain in the country for the 20 to 30 years that their parents have to wait in the green card backlog--the same green card backlog the Senator is now decrying When their parents die, children of immigrant workers will not be immediately deported. But this prolonging of dependent status is helpful only if the parent lives and works in this country until his or her green card application is actually adjudicated. It does nothing for the child of an immigrant whose dead parent's green card application is ultimately denied because his or her job is no longer available-- nothing.…”