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Clinton Opposes Current DC Efforts to Curb Illegals

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), a potential presidential candidate in 2008, joined immigration advocates last week to vow to block legislation seeking to criminalize undocumented immigrants. Sen. Clinton made her remarks as the Senate prepared to take up the matter this week, and as hundreds of thousands announced a protest in Los Angeles, California against bills pending in Congress.

Surrounded by a multicultural coalition of New York immigration advocates, Clinton blasted the House bill, seeking to make unlawful presence in the U.S., a felony, as "mean-spirited," saying it flew in the face of Republicans` stated support for faith and values. "It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scriptures, because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself."

Clinton also called for new immigration enforcement laws, including penalties for employers who exploit illegal immigrants, as well as a system to allow the roughly 11 million illegal immigrants currently living in the United States to earn their citizenship. Clinton said she supports legislation to strengthen U.S. borders and seeks greater cross-border cooperation with Mexico and Canada.