Posted on 06/18/2012 4:23:28 PM PDT by mdittmar
Reid:Instead Of Complaining, Republicans Should Work With Democrats To Fix Our Broken Immigration SystemWashington, D.C. Nevada Senator Harry Reid spoke on the Senate floor today regarding President Obamas announcement that the Obama Administration would suspend deportation of young people who were brought to America illegally as children. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
Astrid Silva is an average 24-year-old.
The Las Vegas resident is fascinated with Nevada history from the mysteries of Area 51 to the days when the mob ran casinos.
Astrid is active in her community and in local politics.
And one day she would like to come to Washington, D.C., to see the Declaration of Independence.
Astrid recently completed her Associates degree at the College of Southern Nevada. And she dreams of completing her Bachelors degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
But theres one thing standing in Astrids way: shes not an American citizen.
Twenty years ago this week when Astrid was just four years old her parents brought her to the United States.
She doesnt even remember Mexico, the country where she was born. She speaks perfect English. She was an honor student in high school.
And shes never called anyplace but Nevada her home.
So of course I thought of this brave young woman when President Obama announced Friday that he would suspend deportation of young people, like Astrid, who were brought to this country illegally when they were only children.
Astrid has been looking over her shoulder afraid of deportation ever since she stepped out of the shadows to push Congress to pass the DREAM Act.
The DREAM Act would create a pathway to citizenship for upstanding young people who were brought to the country through no fault of their own, and want to attend college or serve this nation in the Armed Forces.
The DREAM Act isnt amnesty. Rather, it rewards responsibility with opportunity.
Astrids handwritten letters convinced me years ago of the importance of this issue. Unfortunately, Republican opposition has stalled this legislation.
But thanks to President Obama, Astrid and 800,000 other young people who are American in all but paperwork no longer need to live in fear of deportation.
President Obamas directive to suspend deportation of the DREAMers comes after a yearlong review.
It will be applied on a case-by-case basis.
It frees up law enforcement resources to focus on people who actually threaten public safety and national security.
And it removes the specter of deportation that has hovered over deserving young men and women.
I congratulate President Obama for this courageous decision a decision that benefits both the DREAMers and our nation as a whole.
Like Astrid, these young people share our language. They share our culture. And they share our love for America the only country they know.
They are talented, patriotic men and women who want to defend our nation in the military, get a college education, work hard and contribute to their communities and this country.
And when they pledge allegiance, its to the United States of America.
Unfortunately, President Obamas directive is temporary. The onus is now on Congress to protect the DREAMers and fix our broken immigration system once and for all.
Comprehensive immigration reform should be tough, fair and practical. It should:
Some Republicans have suggested a solution to the DREAMers terrible dilemma should have come from Congress, not the President.
But its Republican opposition that has prevented Congress from acting.
In fact, Senate Republicans blocked the DREAM Act twice.
And many Republicans who once said they favor a long-term fix for Americas broken immigration system are now abandoning efforts to find common ground.
The President has taken decisive action in offering this directive. But he can only do so much by himself.
For Astrids sake and for the sake of every American it is time Congress became part of the solution.
I hope my Republican colleagues will finally join Democrats to find a bipartisan way to mend this nations flawed immigration system instead of just complaining that the system is broken.
Maybe the aliens at area 51 could take Harry home for lunch(burp)
Why, Harry? Why don’t you work with Republicans?
Good thinking Harry. Let’s start with a $2trillion spending cut starting next week.
Too much?
Ok, let’s compromise. $1 trillion starting in a month.
bipartisanship <=> ‘rats win
I’d prefer to work with people who had some principles and weren’t a bunch of liars.
The drip, drip, drip of ‘compromise’ has brought this nation to its end. Always we ‘compromise’ with the left and they gladly take half the loaf when they cannot have the whole. However, time after time, they come back for the other half. A long time ago we should have demanded our half back! Too late, we gave away the farm.
Oh really, Mr. Lap Dog? What work is it that democrats actually do?
Pass budgets?
I think not.
Check the power of the rogue pResident Obama?
I think not.
Perhaps you should work with yourself on self copulation, Mr. Reid.
mebbe Reid could start reading and following the Constitution.....
drip, drip, drip
Yes I think we know what to do with the evil dead.
The zombies that walk this land....
The Dimmocrats and the Republicans have a different idea as to what the ‘fix’ should be.
THEY should work with US to close the borders and deport all illegals AND cut back on legal immigration IN PARTICULAR gettint rid of ‘family reunification’
To Reid, working with Congress means for the Republicans to give in. Remember the debt limit agreements. The Republicans got snookered!
Instead of trying to get rid of a rabid dog, Harry would suggest that the person being attacked stick a few pork chops in his pocket. Cooperate with the rabid dog, says Harry.
Harry, first things first, where is a sensible budget plan for my hard earned tax dollars?
That's why it's broken now, you copulating anal orifice.
Those of us actually pulling this wagon called America are already paying the freight for our native deadbeats.
Despite what you think Dingy, we don’t need to import any more Democrats.
...... Republicans to Reid: "Instead Of Complaining, Democrats Should Work With Republicans..."
Yup.... two can play at this game. Reverse the logic on them and their little brains have a tendency to short circuit.
FUDH.
Harry Reid: The Pillar of Bipartisanship
I thought it was working with Democrats over the last 50 years that has brought us to this point. One step at a time along the path of good intentions has lead us to the precipice. And now the Rats want the Republicans to follow along like lemmings as they throw themselves off.
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