Senator Clinton says immigration bill would make her a criminal

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20060406T220000-0500_102071_OBS_SENATOR_CLINTON_SAYS_IMMIGRATION_BILL_WOULD_MAKE_HER_A_CRIMINAL.asp ^ | 4-7-06 | ap

[doug from upland]

Senator Clinton says immigration bill would make her a criminal

AP Friday, April 07, 2006

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday that an immigration bill approved in the House of Representatives would make her and her aides criminals for their work on behalf of New York constituents.

Clinton's comments are her latest salvo against the Republican-authored House bill that would penalise anyone who knowingly assists or encourages illegal immigrants to remain in the country. The bill, which passed the House in December, also makes it a felony to be in the country illegally.

Speaking to the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Clinton, touted as a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2008, said her work for New York constituents could fall afoul of the bill since many are immigrants.

"I realise I would be a criminal, too. My staff would be criminal. We help people with all kinds of problems," said Clinton.

Democratic critics and the Catholic Church say such language would make even humanitarian assistance to an illegal immigrant a crime; the bill's authors dismiss the claim as an absurd attempt to defeat the bill.

Clinton has, over the past few weeks, stepped out strongly against the bill as senators debate varying proposals, including setting up a guest worker programme as supported by President George W Bush and affording citizenship to most of those in the country illegally. Senators are seeking a strong bill that would allow them more leverage in bargaining with House lawmakers.

Last month, Clinton lashed out at the House bill, saying it was "mean-spirited" and would probably criminalise "even Jesus himself".

The New York Democrat continued that offensive Wednesday, urging Hispanic business leaders to help defeat such measures by resisting what she called misinformation in the emotionally charged immigration debate.

"We need to help educate the entire American public. We need to put the face of America and hardworking Americans on this debate," she said.

Over the past couple of weeks, tens of thousands of people have protested the bill around the country, staging mass rallies and school walkouts in California, Arizona and Texas and shutting down minority-owned business in Georgia.

Peter King, one of the Republican authors of the bill, said it was Clinton who was spreading misinformation, and the only way she would be viewed as a criminal under the bill was if she were a "coyote," another term for an immigrant smuggler. The bill, he said, "has absolutely nothing to do with churches or social workers or senators assisting illegal immigrants. It is aimed entirely at alien smuggling gangs."

[muawiyah]

Won't be the first thing to turn Hillary into a criminal.

[ExcursionGuy84]

Would???

[Slump Tester]

Hmmm... A bill that make Hillary Clinton a criminal - I like it!

[hometoroost]

Sorry Senator, that boat sailed a long time ago.

[layman]

Senator Clinton says immigration bill would make her a criminal

So would looting the White House, but that didn't seem to bother you.

[Daralundy]

Are illegals actually constituents?

[4U2OUI]

Good. Throw her @ss in jail, then.

[MNJohnnie]

Too late Hilly

[righttackle44]

Is there ANYTHING that won't make Hillary a criminal?

[Meadow Muffin]

I vote to make it a bill....first in line to go to prison....Hillarybeast and her crew......:)

[stopem]

Drama Queen.

It's her husbands fault that we have this crisis now, he allowed millions to enter while he was President,and he is responsible for passing NAFTA.

It's Clinton's fault!

[stopem]

LOL :) All the more reason to pass it!!

[JRios1968]

Time to throw her rear end in jail then!

[muawiyah]

Get the twinkies first!

[pabianice]

I am SO sick of Hillary and this crap.

The pictures below have been purposely censored by network broadcast TV and all but four US newspapers. They came from the Long Beach Press Telegram, Whittier Daily News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Pasadena Star News websites. Even these papers published them only on the web, not in their print editions. This is the mindset of the people who want no borders for the US and demand that criminal aliens get automatic citizenship.

My grandparents had to wait in line until the US would allow them to emigrate from Europe. After arriving here, they waited years until they were given citizenship. My father had to wait twenty (20) years for his citizenship. During that time he learned English and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. I have zero sympathy for illegals rampaging through the street with flags from foreign countries, demanding citizenship. The US Senate‘s craven refusal to face this issue brings discredit upon Congress.

[small voice in the wilderness]

I didn't think so, until I remembered that dead democrats are constituents. I believe that, to date, the only group not officially recognized by democrats are illegal dead Guatemalyan midgets. But that could change.

[CBart95]

Tell her not to worry about it.

She managed to be criminal without legislative assistance.

[COUNTrecount]

Are illegals actually constituents?

Yes, especially when they vote Democratic multiple times in the same election.