Posted on 06/04/2006 10:12:31 AM PDT by WestTexasWend
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros says the United States has the right to secure and seal its borders, but he warned it should be done with "a sense of humanity and human rights."
Cisneros, the former U.S. housing secretary under Democratic President Bill Clinton, made an impassioned speech on the subject Friday during the Bilateral Immigration Forum.
"I believe in immigration," he said. "I have used religious words in this regard. It is the salvation of the American future."
Cisneros cited personal reasons behind his stance. His grandfather came to Texas from Mexico to escape persecution during the 1910-17 Mexican Revolution.
Cisneros said President Bush frames the immigration issue correctly by presenting three reforms: improved border security; a channel for legal workers to be hired in the United States; and a path to earned residency and citizenship for existing and new illegal immigration.
"Mexico is pushing out its people by its inability to provide jobs. People will come before they starve. They will come before their families starve. The push is immense, but the pull is just as strong - the job opportunities in the United States," he said.
The United States has a right to define its borders and to define who comes in and has the right to seal the borders if it chooses, Cisneros said.
"But it should do so with a sense of humanity and human rights. Securing the border should not end in the death of people. They are not criminals. They are responding to the push-and-pull realities. There should be some reasonableness because people's lives are in danger," he said.
Cisneros warned that sending National Guard troops to support the Border Patrol may end up being a tragic mistake because the National Guard is not trained to guard the border.
"Just sending the National Guard without specific training for that purpose is dangerous. Border security needs to be proper and effective and not waste people's lives on either side," he told the forum.
On Friday, Republican Gov. Rick Perry signed an agreement authorizing the deployment of National Guard Troops to the U.S.-Mexico border as part of a plan Bush recently announced to support Border Patrol agents.
Cisneros said he does not sense that there is urgency in Mexico to create economic growth.
"Somewhere in Mexico's consciousness, there must be some sense of inadequacy. A country that cannot provide jobs for its citizens fails," he said.
Cisneros also said he has "zero patience" for the argument that immigration will change the United States culturally.
"We must assimilate immigrants into the American way," he said. "This is something we do together."
"Cisneros also said he has 'zero patience' for the argument that immigration will change the United States culturally."
And I have "zero patience" for people that don't understand the difference in meaning betwixt: immigration and ILLEGAL immigration.
They are not the same -- moron!
It's the difference between someone politely ringing your door bell; as opposed to breaking into your house and robbing you.
NOTE: I mistakenly posted to eleni121 but meant WestTexasWend -- but it shouldn't matter.
Henry Cisneros?
Was he with his wife or girl friend when they interviewed him?
Henry Cisneros - still proving he's corrupt and a moron.
"Former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros says the United States has the right to secure and seal its borders, but he warned it should be done with "a sense of humanity and human rights."
I fully agree. It is the MOST humane thing to keep these people out in the first place so they don't "suffer" at the hands of the cruel racists who run this country.
Second generation American still has not assimilated, doesn't know squat what he's talking about.
There ARE jobs in Mexico, Henry, but there is also great political repression and unrest as you well know.
The politics of Mexico are as much or more of a propellant to migrate as economics.
Mr. Cisneros, are you yourself out there on the border, in the desert and the scrub brush, looking for stranded migrants to aid? I don't think so. However, ironically, the Minutemen and the USBP are and they do provide humanitarian aid.
So, cram your high sounding talk of "humanity"; cuz you're just another yapping politician.
Amen to every word!
From the article---notice "plea agreement" - typical DC Coverup.
"The Cisneros plea agreement was negotiated during the past week and approved on the day that Cisneros was to begin standing trial on 18 felony charges in federal court."
Notice 18 felony charges!
What does Mexico do - shoot first and ask questions later? That'll work...
I think we should bomb Iran. But, it should be done with "a sense of humanity and human rights."
I hear you---Political and religious refugees getting granted asylum I have no problem with...IT'S THESE "SNEAKERS" that are repulsive.
And I have no doubt that they will vote democrap once they are here (no doubt there is massive voter fruad already happening in California)...the cultural/moral values argument that some conservatives are hoping for take second place to the immediate economic bonanza they hope to claim.
So if you said he was a Felon, you would be lying?
So if you said he was a Felon, you would be lying?
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Jumping hastily into the muck of legalism are you?
Actually I would be expressing my opinion one which is protected by the Constitution Doe eyes.
Hastily? What Felony was he convicted of?
I hardly consider the truth to me muck.
Bright boy---check out any standard definition of "felon"--- then wander around blurting out other inanities.
OK, I'm with you, he's a non-convicted felon.
he's a non-convicted felon.
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If that what turns you on - fine.
A category almost exclusive to Democraps - kind of like Bill and Hillary...and assorted FOB felons - those pardoned in the last moments of his tenure in office.
"And I have no doubt that they will vote democrap once they are here (no doubt there is massive voter fraud already happening in California)...the cultural/moral values argument that some conservatives are hoping for take second place to the immediate economic bonanza they hope to claim."
They are ushering in a Trojan horse... a horse that -- in this case -- I predict, will someday turn on its' makers.
So how are Americans supposed to react as the invaders rip us off left and right----with a sense of humanity?
Idiot Cisneros is confusing compassion with tolerance of criminality.
Besides the invaders roaming the streets with Mehico flags say they intend to takeover the US government with the vote (the illegal vote, of course) and violence, if necessary.
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