Today RNHA members were on hand to hear former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani at the Latino Coalition's summit in Washington D.C.. The presidential candidate outlined his plan for immigration reform.
Giuliani discussed tamper-proof ID cards for new immigrants and workers, a border fence with both electronic and a physical elements, and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers calling for immigrants to pay penalties, back taxes, and learn English in order to gain legalized status.
From The Hill:
"...U.S. immigration policy demands a complex answer that should include “We have to look at illegal immigration from the point of view of what makes America more secure,” Giuliani said.
He also advocated establishing a database of all immigrants, saying the U.S. needs a “system that identifies people and why they’re coming here.”Having 12 million undocumented immigrants in the country “makes it easier for
terrorists and drug-dealers to hide,” said
Giuliani, who is the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination. According
to the former mayor, lowering that number would make it easier to find
terrorists.
Giuliani wants undocumented workers to come forward and claim citizenship “if they’re making an honest contribution.” He added that adherence to American ideals is what makes an American citizen, and that those who have come to the U.S. to make an honest living should be afforded official citizenship. Giuliani stopped short of
calling this “amnesty,” however.
Read more about Latin Rudy.
Also at the Latino Coalition Summit was actress Maria Conchita Alonso who decried the action's of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. The actress/activist talked about some of her political work in the the Venezuelan elections and a movies ("Two Minutes of Hate") she has produced showcasing the political realities of the Venezuelan country that is moving in a socialist direction.
Giuliani, who followed Alonso, also denounced Chavez and Castro and called them a real threat.
