From Human Events:
Illegal Aliens Step Boldly Out of the Shadows at DREAM Hearing
by Audrey Hudson
06/29/2011
[Editor's note: Video of the hearing is below.]
It’s not unusual for politicians on Capitol Hill to recognize citizens during hearings on legislation that would have a positive or negative impact on their lives.
But that tactic took a different turn this week when hundreds of illegal immigrants filled the largest hearing room in the Senate to openly participate in the proceedings.
And they did so without threat of arrest from the nation’s chief immigration law enforcement official who was sitting in the front row: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Many of the illegal immigrants were recognized by name by Sen. Dick Durbin (D. –Ill.) who led the panel, and commended by Obama administration officials who want to give them legal status under sweeping legislation called the DREAM Act.
The DREAM Act would give permanent legal status to illegal immigrants, up to age 35, who arrived in the United States before age 16, provided they complete two years of college or serve two years in the military.
“The young people who would be eligible for the DREAM Act call themselves dreamers,” Durbin said. “Over the years, I have met hundreds of these dreamers, and hundreds of them are here today,” Durbin continued.
Durbin introduced about a half dozen of the illegal immigrants by name and asked them to stand, as he told their story of how they were brought into the country illegally by their parents. Although they had attended U.S. schools, Durbin said they
could either not get jobs or faced problems pursing higher education because of their illegal status.
“Let me ask everyone here today who is a DREAM Act student to stand and be recognized,” Durbin said.
Nearly everyone in the audience stood.
“Thank you so much for being here,” Durbin said.
Just 24 hours before the hearing was scheduled to convene in the rather small hearing room of the Judiciary Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building which seats about 100 people, Republican staffers were notified that Democrats had moved the proceeding to room 216 of the Hart Building.
Better known as the “media room,” that hearing hall can seat 300 to 400 and is typically reserved for large gatherings, like confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justices.
Napolitano told this subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee that although the large group gathered was part of the population that is subject to deportation, there would be no enforcement of the law that morning.
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Audrey Hudson, an award-winning investigative journalist, is a Congressional Correspondent for HUMAN EVENTS. A native of Kentucky, Mrs. Hudson has worked inside the Beltway for nearly two decades -- on Capitol Hill as a Senate and House spokeswoman, and most recently at The Washington Times covering Congress, Homeland Security, and the Supreme Court.
Illegal Aliens Step Boldly Out of the Shadows at DREAM Hearing
by Audrey Hudson
06/29/2011
[Editor's note: Video of the hearing is below.]
It’s not unusual for politicians on Capitol Hill to recognize citizens during hearings on legislation that would have a positive or negative impact on their lives.
But that tactic took a different turn this week when hundreds of illegal immigrants filled the largest hearing room in the Senate to openly participate in the proceedings.
And they did so without threat of arrest from the nation’s chief immigration law enforcement official who was sitting in the front row: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Many of the illegal immigrants were recognized by name by Sen. Dick Durbin (D. –Ill.) who led the panel, and commended by Obama administration officials who want to give them legal status under sweeping legislation called the DREAM Act.
The DREAM Act would give permanent legal status to illegal immigrants, up to age 35, who arrived in the United States before age 16, provided they complete two years of college or serve two years in the military.
“The young people who would be eligible for the DREAM Act call themselves dreamers,” Durbin said. “Over the years, I have met hundreds of these dreamers, and hundreds of them are here today,” Durbin continued.
Durbin introduced about a half dozen of the illegal immigrants by name and asked them to stand, as he told their story of how they were brought into the country illegally by their parents. Although they had attended U.S. schools, Durbin said they
could either not get jobs or faced problems pursing higher education because of their illegal status.
“Let me ask everyone here today who is a DREAM Act student to stand and be recognized,” Durbin said.
Nearly everyone in the audience stood.
“Thank you so much for being here,” Durbin said.
Just 24 hours before the hearing was scheduled to convene in the rather small hearing room of the Judiciary Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building which seats about 100 people, Republican staffers were notified that Democrats had moved the proceeding to room 216 of the Hart Building.
Better known as the “media room,” that hearing hall can seat 300 to 400 and is typically reserved for large gatherings, like confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justices.
Napolitano told this subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee that although the large group gathered was part of the population that is subject to deportation, there would be no enforcement of the law that morning.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Audrey Hudson, an award-winning investigative journalist, is a Congressional Correspondent for HUMAN EVENTS. A native of Kentucky, Mrs. Hudson has worked inside the Beltway for nearly two decades -- on Capitol Hill as a Senate and House spokeswoman, and most recently at The Washington Times covering Congress, Homeland Security, and the Supreme Court.
Our schools are crammed to capacity, full of the children of illegal aliens,
ReplyDeletethe health system slowly falling apart as more hospitals fail of wanton
families to be treated; many of these institutions unable to survive. Then we
have the US penal system choked with illegal alien criminals, that is yet
another tax hike on the American population. The TEA PARTY is our only remedy
as the Congress, have no sense of urgency to the impending financial crash.
Perhaps Rep. Michele Bachman of Minnesota, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Sarah
Palin of Alaska; all regarded as strong supporters of the ever growing TEA
PARTY. Only the TEA PARTY leaders seem to understand the financial predicament
we have truly manufactured for ourselves, from the years of corruption within
equal parties. The TEA PARTY has astounded both political parties in power, and
will release us from the years of rot and poor or intentional mismanagement to
gain favor with open border lobbyists. The TEA PARTY has sworn to the major
majority of the American people, no new amnesties of any kind, which includes
the dismantling of Sanctuary cities and towns, no dream Acts or anything
assigned to foreigners who broke our stagnant laws.
To accomplish this task we must insist our government implement mandatory
E-Verify and Secure Communities, which will track down both illegal workers and
criminal illegal aliens. There must be no compromises, but that Congress should
enforce these laws, without interference from the open border zealots or the elitist
groups discount labor.
You should also introduce yourself to the people who run this devastated
country at the Senate—202-224–3121/ House—202-225–3121 and tell them it’s time
to depart of fight for the American taxpayer.