How else is a reasonable person to read this if not regarding illegal immigrants? Cain wasn't speaking about legal aliens.
There is no existing path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, so he could only be referring to people that have come here legally.
Disagree? Then produce the citizenship application for someone here illegally. Every govt. document is online, it shouldn't be hard to find if it exists.
It doesn't exist. Here (fyi) is the 1st requirement for becomming a naturalized US citizen (the 1st step on the current path to citizenship:
"An applicant for naturalization must be admitted to the United States as a "lawful permanent resident" commonly referred to as one who possesses "green card" status. There is only one exception to this requirement: If an applicant has served in the U.S. armed forces during war, that person may be naturalized without first becoming a permanent resident if they were in the U.S. upon induction or enlistment into our military."
There is no other current path to citizenship. That's it. And that is what Cain was referring to.
The more I see of Herman Cain, the better I like him as a presidential contender. I am sincerely hoping that Sarah Palin also runs.
This country NEEDS a conservative president to survive. Time is getting short.