Government Security News July 2016 Digital Edition

Immigration and Border Security
Tracking record of statements of Hillary Clinton
on immigration reform
By Wendy Feliz
By 2050, minorities will become the
majority in the United States. This is
the first point Hillary Clinton made
while speaking before the League
of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC) in Washington D.C. this
week. In a pointed speech, which
she spent much of criticizing her
opponent Donald Trump, Clinton
discussed “ending the vicious debate
about immigration reform”
and made some clear commitments
around what, if elected, she would
do to advance needed changes in
immigration policy.
Most notably, Clinton said at the
beginning of her remarks, and later
repeated, that “in my first 100 days,
as part of my commitment, I will
introduce comprehensive immigration
reform with a path to citizenship”
and will end the practice of
family detention.
She discussed the “growing consensus”
and “greater agreement”
that something must be done on
immigration reform and alluded to
the point that it would only happen
if she was elected, noting “whether
we get it done will depend on this
election.”
Clinton went on to
elaborate on what her
vision for immigration
reform would includes:
“…a credible path
forward for reform
that is truly comprehensive,
addressing all
aspects of the system,
including immigrants
living here today, those who wish to
come in the days ahead, from highly
skilled workers to family members
to those seeking refuge from violence
wherever that might occur. “
She then committed to:
“…send a proposal to congress
that will include a path to citizenship
that will fix the family visa backlog
and strengthen our economy and
will enable our country to be what
it has always been, a place where
people from around the world come
to start new businesses, pursue their
dreams, and apply their talents to
American growth and innovation.
And while we are doing that, we
must do everything we can to keep
families already here together.”
She also vigorously defended
24
Photo: Courtesy of CBS News
presidential executive actions on
immigration noting:
“DAPA is squarely within the
President’s authority and I will keep
saying that and fighting for it. But
there is more we can do. We need
a simple straightforward system
where people with sympathetic cases,
can show a history of service to
their communities can make their
case and be eligible for deferred action.
Like people who experience
and report extreme labor abuses.”
Finally she committed to ending
the practice of detaining families
and rounding up refugees in raids.
She said:
“And we must absolutely end
family detention, close private de-
More on page 44