Jose Lagos Quotations

Yes, national security, that's all fine. But there's over 11 million here now, and they are not terrorists, so what do we do with them? I think we have to take away the extremes, the liberal and the conservative views, and get something done that we can realistically enforce.

We are thankful to hear the intent of the Administration of President Bush to extend the humanitarian program TPS soon to expire for thousands of Central Americans.

Let's not forget who these immigrants are. They work hard, they pay taxes, and many have U.S. born children. It gives them the peace of mind that they can continue to work legally.

To obtain it was a big, giant battle.

We are going to be sitting in that meeting, facing the committee members and praying in our minds for them to look at our faces -- Asian, Haitian, Latino, even Caucasian -- who are watching at this historic moment to see what they produce.

The Senate compromise may have fallen apart, but not everything is lost. The only way we're going to get ahead is to send a stronger message.

Now is not the time, because all the considerations have not been made. The impact would be catastrophic.

It's going to be a long reconstruction in New Orleans and here. People are coming with their children. Some have lost documents. Some are undocumented.

It's real, it's happening, it's painful, it's uncomfortable, it's not fair, and we're talking about human lives here. ... We're not asking for anything public other than permanent residency. Why this legal battle against these taxpayers?

These are families that mind their own business, that have integrated themselves (into society) ... They're not a threat, and they don't jeopardize the national security of the United States.