John Cornyn: “I have great sympathy for students brought to the United States at a very young age who have no moral culpability for…”

“I have great sympathy for students brought to the United States at a very young age who have no moral culpability for being in this country in violation of our laws. I have listened to many stories about how our broken immigration system has failed these students, and I have discussed this issue with many Hispanic leaders in Texas and across the Nation. Last week, we learned that the unemployment rate went back up to 9.8 percent in November--and more than 15 million Americans cannot find a job. In the Hispanic community, things are even worse. The unemployment rate is up to an astonishing 13.2 percent the highest rate in 27 years. And it has been above double digits every month since the stimulus bill became law in February 2009. That's why I agree with my Republican colleagues that the only items on our agenda during this lameduck session should be time-sensitive issues focused on the economy. Nevertheless, I do have sympathy with students who would benefit from the DREAM Act. And that is why I voted for a version of this legislation in the Judiciary Committee in 2003.”