By Brandon Kosters - Talk Radio News Service
Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus praised U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton for enjoining parts of the new Arizona immigration law, and discussed what can be done to improve living conditions for illegals nationwide.
Bolton yesterday filed preliminary injunctions against the parts of the bill that required immigrants to carry proof of citizenship at all times, and required police to inquire about citzenship status, a measure which opponents felt encouraged racial profiling.
Rep. Joe Baca (D-Calif.) applauded Bolton’s ruling, saying “[God] didn’t say ‘love they neighbor’ because they’re U.S. citizens…[He] said, ‘love thy neighbor.’”
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) touted a bill that the Hispanic Caucus has drafted, that would require the use of magnified, federally issued Social Security cards. The bill would also prosecute employers who don’t use the cards.
Gutierrez said the immigration debate should not focus on the immigrant population in the U.S. in terms of numbers, but rather in terms of individuals and families who have established roots in the country. He challenged “pro-life”, “pro-family values” politicians who “would take a child in the womb of the mother…[and] would say ‘you must have that child’…’That child has the right to be born.’ And when the child is born, [they want] to deport that child.”