Activists push path to citizenship, nothing less

Activists push path to citizenship, nothing less

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  • Immigration

  • The current system of immigration enforcement and deportation produces a constant flow of people north and south that provides the cartel with a vulnerable labor pool and steady source of revenue.
    The current system of immigration enforcement and deportation produces a constant flow of people north and south that provides the cartel with a vulnerable labor pool and steady source of revenue.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee is aiming this week to pass a landmark immigration bill to secure the border and offer citizenship to millions, setting up a high-stakes debate on the Senate floor.
    The Senate Judiciary Committee is aiming this week to pass a landmark immigration bill to secure the border and offer citizenship to millions, setting up a high-stakes debate on the Senate floor.
  • The immigration debate in Arizona reached a boiling point in 2007 when the state passed a groundbreaking law targeting those often blamed with fueling the nation's border woes: Employers...
    The immigration debate in Arizona reached a boiling point in 2007 when the state passed a groundbreaking law targeting those often blamed with fueling the nation's border woes: Employers who hire immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.

By ERICA WERNER
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - Immigration activists say they won't settle for anything short of a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants in a bill emerging in Congress.

Some House Republicans have suggested a compromise that would let the country's 11 million illegal immigrants gain legal status and work in the U.S. - but not become citizens.

On a conference call Friday, activists said that is unacceptable because it would create second-class residents.

Angelica Salas is with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. She says people should be able to choose citizenship if they want and not be stuck in legal limbo.

House Republicans uncomfortable with letting illegal immigrants become citizens - something some criticize as amnesty - suggest legalization instead as a middle ground.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press modified.

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