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Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, (R-Texas), explains the “Achieve Act” immigration proposal that she and Sen. Jon Kyl introduced.
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A group of Republican senators today introducing new immigration legislation.
Called the achieve back sponsored -- senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson.
And senator John -- It would offer the opportunity permanent residency for illegal immigrants are in the country.
Because their parents brought them here unlawfully as children the -- to residency would be open to those illegal immigrants seeking higher education.
Or serving in the US military unlike the DREAM Act it doesn't offer a pathway to citizenship.
Joining us now from Washington DC want his sponsors and authors of this bill.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison senator great to have you with us congratulations.
On the bill.
And at this point.
It is terrific that you come forward this legislation.
I know you've been working on it for.
For some time.
Why now.
Nice you know which -- I talk to you earlier this year we have been working on it -- time and it has taken a long time to.
Talk to all the different groups that have an interest -- to try to get the right balance.
We feel we have the right balance we think it is time to go forward in a positive way with a program.
An alternative that we think is the right way to go it allows these young people.
To get an education or serve in the military.
And have the ability to stay here legally he doesn't put them in front of people who have already been -- Here abiding by the law waiting their turn.
But it doesn't prohibit them from getting in line and they can be here working legally while they are.
Either applying for citizenship or green card or maybe they don't want to and many of them don't says they have those options.
And going through your legislation and and and looking at a number the elements.
I can almost hear every year.
Hispanic advocacy group in the country screaming because you -- for those under this this act.
Applying for welfare it was put it that way.
Do you think that's going to be one of the toughest elements of winning support.
From the left in this country.
Well I think it's a balanced approach I think that.
When we are trying to make a way forward for these young people who -- -- that kind of I've never neverland they.
Only know America as -- home -- educated in America and yet they can't legally work we're trying to fix that particular problem.
When trying not to put them in front of the line for people who have waited for years to.
Get their green card or their citizenship we don't want to change the law as it is today that we thought it was important to take that.
That very narrow group of people.
And try to fix that problem it's really very time sensitive says we wanted to be as clean as we could on that one point.
And is this in your view a direct response to the performance of who the Republican Party.
In the November 6 election with -- with Hispanic and Latino voters in this.
Well Lou I thought we were gonna win in November in I've been working on this for a year.
Because I thought it was the right thing to do.
I have always received in the -- Of Hispanic votes in taxes that 44% in my last senate election.
And I thought it was the right thing to do I have been talking to my advisory group of Hispanic Americans in Texas.
Actually for four years about what we could do that would take these young people out.
This.
Really conundrum -- -- they they.
Want to work but yet they can't really get a job their employers can't hire them because they don't have the legality so.
I've worked on at the long time and I think that now is the time and I think now is the realization by a lot of people that may -- hadn't thought about it before.
That we need to move forward hopefully in a bipartisan way.
And come to a balance with.
Making sure that we give them away clears but also not putting them in front of people who have paid their dues and done the right thing.
Well senator.
Gradually then you're and senator Kyl -- bring forward and just -- McCain -- also as a cosponsor we have three and and Senator McCain.
And it certainly and -- this is a moderate.
Our room.
Reasons.
And humane approach that makes all the sense in the world.
Which I suspect we'll make -- -- for typical the past but congratulations to you this is why all of them all the best of luck so thank you aren't.
Hi thanks for having me -- appreciate it thank them.
