Congress 'could really benefit from their unique abilities'

Published: 16 hours ago
CHERYL CHUMLEY


Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick

Democratic lawmaker Ann Kirkpatrick from Arizona said certain illegal immigrants in America – the ones who came to the country illegally as children but who hold temporary work permits via the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program – ought to be given jobs on Capitol Hill.

The Hill reported Kirkpatrick’s introduced a bill to do just that – to give the young illegals the opportunity to be hired to work in congressional offices.

Currently, only lawful permanent residents, as well as some refugees, are allowed to be hired to work in House and Senate offices. DACA-program recipients are actually able to work in the halls of Congress via internships or fellowships from third-party organizations. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, for instance, offers internships in some congressional offices.

But Kirkpatrick’s bill would change that and give exemptions for those in the country under the DACA program, allowing them to seek direct employment in House and Senate offices.

“Telling these young people they cannot work in the seat of our government is like telling them they deserve something less than the American dream,” she said in a statement reported by the Hill. “That’s the wrong message to send, especially from an institution like Congress that could really benefit from their unique abilities and perspectives.”

Kirkpatrick is challenging Sen. John McCain for his Senate seat.

http://www.wnd.com/2016/03/democrat-...-capitol-hill/