Schumer's Right: Illegal Immigration Is Just Plain Wrong

By Bonnie Erbe, Thomas Jefferson Street blog.

Every time he says something, I like my birth-state senator, Democrat Charles Schumer of New York, even more. It takes guts in a state with a huge immigrant (legal and illegal) population to tell illegal immigrants to get in line or get out. And yet, that's exactly what Schumer told the Washington Post:

Schumer said legislation should secure control of the nation's borders within a year and require that an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants register with the government and "submit to a rigorous process to convert to legal status" or face immediate deportation. Rejecting the euphemism "undocumented workers," he said: "Illegal immigration is wrong--plain and simple."

President Obama invited congressional leaders to the White House today to discuss immigration reform legislation. Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel conceded to reporters the president doesn't have the votes to pass immigration legislation this year. That's great news for people who believe immigration, especially illegal immigration, is out of control. President Obama's goal is to find a "path to citizenship" for the 12 million (or more) immigrants who broke U.S. law and entered illegally. This, although they are allowed to continue to enjoy citizen-like benefits such as free public school for their children, drivers licenses in some states, emergency healthcare paid for by taxpayers, and so on.

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By Bonnie Erbe