Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, told a group during a meeting that she is an avid supporter of immigration reform. The comments came as an answer to a question posed by an undocumented alien who was brought to the United States by her parents.
Clinton, who is still considering a run for President in 2016, said that she cannot imagine ignoring the nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants. She advocates welcoming the undocumented who have, for the most part, contributed to our society in a positive way without documentation.
Most of the undocumented immigrants in the United States provide services, pay taxes, and are contributing members of our communities. Both Presidents Bush and Obama tried unsuccessfully to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill in Congress. Traditionally, the immigration debate is deeply divided along party lines with the Democrats supporting and the Republicans finding every way possible to block reform.
As the Latino population rises, they have become a force in deciding elections. Clinton will surely consider this in her possible run for President in 2016 when, presumably, the Latino population will have grown even more. Obviously, undocumented immigrants cannot vote but they have friends and family members who can.
Clinton felt that it was a missed opportunity not to pass immigration reform on the last attempt which the Republican-controlled House of Representatives blocked.
Currently, undocumented immigrants still face deportation from the United States including detention.
