'Tough Pathway' to Citizenship

" Back everyone attorney general Eric Holder has decided to try 9/11 conspirators in the US but will that put classified information out in the open and endanger the lives of American secretary of Homeland Security Janet upon tunnel. Joins me now good morning to secretary. Good morning thank you for sharing your time this morning as you know since Friday's announcement there's been a firestorm of criticism about this move we had a panel this morning. Of nine elevenths survivor families we also had former attorney general Michael Mukasey. All of whom. We're against this from let me read -- just a couple of their concerns -- your comments they worried about who will be the judge in this -- be the jury. Will we be giving information to terrorists will be a security nightmare. Will we give them exactly what they want al-Qaeda a big stage will -- infiltrate the prison system with bad people. Will be harder for prosecutors will they be able to throw out evidence and mason may be most importantly Eric Holder said that he assured the American public of a conviction. Are we absolutely sure of that."

" Well first of all let me say to that Tuesday survivors and 9/11. That I I continued to. Failure to feel what you're going through this in a very tough situation. It's a tough situation whenever somebody who's had a loved one killed in a violent crime. Now has two -- the justice system run its course. And I'm a former prosecutor have been US attorney had been a state attorney general. Our general holder has the makes some very difficult decisions. And what he did as she went case by case to those detainees held at Guantanamo. Can determine the ones most appropriate deceive the American form of justice in the American form of justice is something that we have held up with pride. Four centuries now and I'll tell you we have tried some of the toughest terrorists in the world as some other. Toughest killers in the world all to good effect and by the way we do all the -- our prison system currently hold them safely and securely. As securely for the communities around them so. Now I would say now let's see this this American justice system. We are proud evidence part of our values it's time -- to run its course do you believe that there's still a war on terror mr. secretary. I think terrorism is part of the environment in which we live on the Homeland Security secretary. Homeland Security actually begins abroad I do a lot of travel abroad. -- talking with my colleagues in other countries. But it's part of our environment so we need to know how to respond to prepare to be resilient about it."

" So if there in fact is still a war on terror and some people are worried that trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his friends here in York city that we will die -- secrets. That will hurt our efforts in the war on terror how he responds that."

" Well I I would simply say that we have tried terrorists before. And we tried others to. Potentially could divulge. Very secret material before. And their methods and rules -- in the federal court system within the criminal justice system to handle that. So you know -- there needs to be a certain level of trust -- and I didn't hear your prior panel but what I would say to them this is luck. These are difficult decisions made by the attorney general of the United States. But they are found -- on their base in trust in the American criminal justice system trusted our values trust and our ability to bring people at justice. And I think we should rely and that trust."

" Let's talk a little bit about immigration reform and last couple of days you gave. A speech about this talking about the past tough pathway. For undocumented workers to gain legal status he said we'll never have fully effective law enforcement or national security as long as millions remain. In the shadows some people -- controversial how do you explain them."

" I don't think -- controversial I think they're common sense. I was a prosecutor in Arizona before I was its governor. I grew up in New Mexico I'm from the border areas of our country. The notion that somehow you're going to find and deport the eleven or twelve million. Who are here illegally is illusory so if you don't do anything he basically -- amnesty by inaction. Now what we're saying is look you've got to come out you've got to report you're gonna have to pay a fine you're gonna have to learn English you're gonna have to be at taxpayer. Those are things that bring people out of the shadow."

" all right -- Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano thank you so much for sharing time with us this morning appreciate it. Thank you bet thank you we're FOX & Friends."