We all agree that it will be tough on security. but it also has to acknowledge our American values and. above all. human dignity. The Housepassed bill and the original Frist bill were overly punitive. But wisely. in our deliberations in the Judiciary Committee and in the alternative now being proposed. we have rejected the controversial provisions that would have exposed those who provide humanitarian relief. medical care. shelter. counseling. and other basic services to the undocumented to possible prosecution under felony alien smuggling provisions. That was a cruel. cruel amendment. and I am glad it is gone. You cant tell those who feed the hungry. clothe the naked. those who shelter people. that they are going to become felons for doing so. We rejected the proposal to criminalize mere presence in an undocumented status in the United States. which would trap people in a permanent underclass. Those provisions understandably sparked nationwide protests and are being viewed as antiHispanic and antiimmigrant. They are inconsistent with American values. As one who is only one generation from immigrant grandparents. I am glad we removed those. I fear that the arbitrary categorization of people in the current proposal is not fair to all.
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undocumented immigrant antiimmigrant