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'Huddled Masses'

Title:

'Huddled Masses'

Published: Fri, 3 Jul 2009

Description: How has immigration to U.S. changed over the last century?

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Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)

" Well and of course Ellis Island as we've been talking about has come to symbolize really. The American dream as we mentioned -- that poem huddled masses passing through lady Liberty's gateway. As they embark on a new life and a new land but more than a century later. Economic and political realities have put our immigration policies to the test. Leading millions at a crossroads and a lot of debate about this subject with legal and illegal immigration becoming extremely hot button. William -- has more."

" A century -- immigrants came through Ellis Island with their eyes on the future. The -- for huddled masses arrived with a little more than a dream. And soon the United States became known as a nation of immigrants. But today -- jobs tight wages -- in government virtually broke. US immigration policy is under fire."

" Those countries change the immigrants have changed the whole. Process of this thing we call melting changes. It's different this time -- in the past."

" Should we make citizens of the millions of illegal immigrants already on our shores if not what rights should they have. Those answers are being debated from the beltway we can't. Continue with -- and operations for the border also Paul sixty and all points in between our Sanctuary City you don't cooperate government as a license rights. In the 1920s congress set a cap a new immigrants and refused to allow any more than 3% to come from any one country. Mid century congress ease those quotas to allow family reunification. Parents spouses and children arrived by the thousand. By 19863. Million illegal immigrants called America home President Reagan granted most amnesty."

" Future generation of America will do thank. Forever change you made me in control of our borders. Or the value of one of the most sacred possessions -- American such."

" But Reagan's best intentions were never realized with a little or no border security or workplace enforcement. Illegal immigration exploded until in 2006. Congress proposed amnesty again. Immigrants took to the streets but opposition mobilized as well and the bill failed. For us not to."

" Attempted to change immigration. Would have been a mistake. I am very disappointed that weren't able to. Pass this legislation the result of Washington's continued inaction. Overburdened schools and hospitals jails and social services in states all along the border and beyond. Problem really is a bit immigrants are coming here to rip us off this isn't a like a welfare -- issue. The problem here. Is that immigrants are a mismatch. For a modern society like ours we have twelve million good. People in this nation who have children who were already born here. They are helping the economy. Of this nation we have to do something with him we need to legalize."

" There are economic arguments that favor both sides but emotion drives the debate and the president has made it a priority twelve million. Or so undocumented workers are here. Who are not paying taxes. In the ways that we'd like them to be paying taxes who are living in the shadows. That that is a group that we have to deal -- a practical common sense way polls suggest voters favor some form of legalization. Would compromise won't come easily. Because immigration reform it is complicated and controversial. Few expect a bill by this winter but lawmakers hope to have something to vote on. Next year but regardless of the outcome in congress America will remain a land of opportunity for immigrants. Legal or not. In Los Angeles where you want to -- coxnews."

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