splif0clock 89 Posted February 7, 2013 LEESBURG, Va. – House Democratic leaders weren’t impressed with Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R-Va.) endorsement of citizenship for undocumented immigrant students, saying the country had “moved on” and now wants comprehensive immigration reform. “Been there, done that,” said Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Democratic caucus and a top party leader on immigration. “We’ve moved on. I think the American people have moved on.” In a wide-ranging policy address on Tuesday, Cantor backed the principlesbehind the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status and a path to citizenship to young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children by their parents. “One of the great founding principles of our country was that children would not be punished for the mistakes of their parents,” Cantor said in his speech. “It is time to provide an opportunity for legal residence and citizenship for those who were brought to this country as children and who know no other home.” The legislation was a top Democratic priority as recently as two years ago, but after President Obama offered protection from deportation for many so-called “dreamers” in 2012 through executive action, the party has shifted to a push for a comprehensive immigration overhaul. Read more 1 erika020 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
