Activists push path to citizenship, nothing less

Yahoo ^ | February 8, 2013 | ERICA WERNER

[BradtotheBone]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Immigration activists on Friday rejected the idea of granting legal status short of citizenship to illegal immigrants in emerging legislation. The activists said that only citizenship would be acceptable for the nation's 11 million illegal immigrants and that the compromise idea floated by some House Republicans, offering legalization but not citizenship, won't work.

Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice, said allowing illegal immigrants to legalize their status without the prospect of citizenship would "create an institutionalized group of second-class non-citizens."

"When we've said to a whole group of people, 'You're good enough to work here but not good enough to be one of us,' it hasn't worked out well," Sharry said on a conference call with other activists to urge swift action on comprehensive immigration legislation.

A framework for a bipartisan bill in the Senate includes a path to citizenship, which President Barack Obama also supports. But some House Republicans uncomfortable with letting illegal immigrants become citizens — labeled amnesty by critics — have suggested finding another way of dealing with them.

At a hearing earlier this week, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., raised the question, "Are there options we should consider between the extremes of mass deportation and a pathway to citizenship for those not lawfully present in the United States?"

Activists on Friday's call noted citizens have rights, including voting, that non-citizens don't have. "Those rights cannot be negated to a whole population, so that's what we're fighting for," said Angelica Salas with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles

[ScottinVA]

Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice, said allowing illegal immigrants to legalize their status without the prospect of citizenship would "create an institutionalized group of second-class non-citizens."

It's never enough with these god-d**ned people. I'm surprise they haven't just gone with their ultimate intention, that being the cessation of half the United States to Mexico.

[cripplecreek]

The activists said that only citizenship would be acceptable for the nation's 11 million illegal immigrants

Demands?

[A_Former_Democrat]

Deportation
Surtax for being here illegally
Fines for being here illegally
Fees for being here illegally
No Earned Income Tax Credits
No welfare, food stamps, free medical, Sec. 8
Fees per child in public school
No minimum wage
No employee benefits
No birthright citizenship (including retroactive since it’s not within the spirit/intent of Constitution, therefore it’s invalid)

[TLI]

Activists on Friday's call noted citizens have rights, including voting, that non-citizens don't have. "Those rights cannot be negated to a whole population, so that's what we're fighting for," said Angelica Salas with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.

They are not being "negated" because they do not exist for the criminal illegal alien border law violators.

But thanks for making it clear what it is you really want.

The peon voter, preregistered as donk.

.

[HenpeckedCon]

Okay, it won't work. Lets forget about it. Go home to your third world hellhole from whence you came!

[GeronL]

There is already a legal way to get US citizenship, duh

[GeronL]

It’s like saying home invaders deserve the keys

[DuncanWaring]

How many of those here illegally actually want to be American citizens and how many are Nuevo Conquistadores, aiming to “reconquer” Aztlan for May-he-co?

[rainee]

This is turning into such a cluster..these people have their frickin nerve to demand anything..but the POS libs have pandered & coddled these illegals (ooops, meant “out of status”) for so long that that I’m surprised they’re not writing the legislation themselves.

Also, these people have zero intention of learning English or assimilating in anyway..they just want the freebies.

[mrsmel]

I never said they were good enough to come and work here illegally, they took that upon themselves.

[theBuckwheat]

Whatever is done, it must NOT include the right to vote. This is to extract a price to those who broke our law and to our own politicians who looked on these people as future voters.

[wac3rd]

Erica Werner, another AP Obamabot Libtard keeps repeating the Goebbels lie, 11 million illegal aliens...it’s really 30 million.

[Ray76]

Oh yeah? How about summary execution? So there.

But being reasonable, how about you go back to your country and follow the existing path to citizenship and we won’t even punish you for violating our laws. This is more than fair.

Violating our laws and then making demands is insulting, antagonizing, and shows your utter disrespect. We would be within reason and right to imprison or expel you and prohibit your ever entering our country. But we will overlook your crimes and mis-demeanor and let you go back and follow the established path to citizenship. This is more than fair. Now leave.