WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano urged Congress Thursday to pass legislation allowing some foreign-born young people who were illegally brought to the U.S. as children to become legal residents.
The law would help Napolitano's department focus on deporting immigrants with criminal records, she said.
The Senate failed in September to pass what's known as the DREAM Act. The bill is in the pile of legislation awaiting action in the final days of the current Congress and it's unclear whether lawmakers will vote on it again before the year ends.
The bill applies to immigrants who arrived in the U.S. before 16, have been in the country at least five years and have a U.S. high school diploma or equivalent. It would let them become U.S. residents after they've spent two years in college or the military.
Napolitano said it doesn't make sense for her department to spend time and resources prosecuting young people who don't have criminal records and who didn't have a say in when they came to this country.
"What makes sense is to allow these young people a way to adjust their immigration status that is firm but fair," Napolitano, a former Arizona governor, told reporters during a White House-organized conference call. President Barack Obama also supports the bill.
rrjenn posted at 4:48 pm on Thu, Dec 2, 2010.
Ain't going to happen nappy. I'll give you firm and fair when we kick your messiah out of office and retire you permanently.
RollerCam posted at 9:58 am on Mon, Dec 6, 2010.
Ah, Jack Napolitano...
Often ridiculed for her looks, but it's also worthwhile to laugh at her blatant, fawning sycophancy to her exalted leader, "Lord Obama."
Masterrogue666 posted at 12:38 pm on Mon, Dec 13, 2010.
Amen, rrjenn! When "King Obama" loses his crown, don't come back to AZ Janet, unless you wish to cross into Mexico through AZ. You obviously don't care about the US citizen!! You only care for lawbreaking invading foreign nationals.....