Senator Kennedy's Remarks at the Irish Rally for Immigration Reform

Senator Kennedy's Remarks at the Irish Rally for Immigration Reform

"It's an honor to join all of you here on Capitol Hill, and to thank you for all you're doing to bring immigrants out of the shadows of exploitation and fear, and into the mainstream of American life and the American dream.

Some in Congress want to build walls and dig trenches to keep America secure. But keeping America safe does not mean turning our backs on America's heritage and history.

Millions and millions of immigrants have made it to our shores. All eight of my great-grandparents came here to escape poverty and famine in Ireland, and seek a new life for themselves and their children.

Immigrants have built this country and helped make it great. They have provided the labor and the services that are the bedrock of our economy.

They too suffered from exploitation and abuse, and they responded by leading the way to organize their fellow workers and create an extraordinary labor movement to oppose the unjust practices of unscrupulous employers.

I'm proud to see so many of you here following in that great tradition of public service. It's time, long past time, that our laws reflected and honored these contributions and fairly rewarded the hard work you do for your families, your employers, and our country.

So let's all work together to stop the exploitation of undocumented workers, and build the road to citizenship for hard-working, tax paying immigrants struggling to feed their families and make a home for their children in the land of freedom and opportunity.

To our opponents who say so casually, "Turn them into criminals," we reply, "Turn them into Americans," and make America a stronger and better land.

Thank you very much."

http://www.tedkennedy.com/content/741/senator-kennedys-remarks-at-the-irish-rally-for-immigration-reform