http://www.queenstribune.com/news/1155411179.html

August 12, 3:32 PM

Hillary Updates Boro On Immigrant Reform


By ANDREW MOESEL


While visiting the most ethnically diverse neighborhood in Queens, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York) said she was skeptical that Congress would ever be able to pass any significant immigration reform despite the intense public attention the topic has received recently.

Speaking to a roomful of reporters in Lefrak City, Corona, Clinton said the Republican Party was using the issue to drive a wedge between voters to win elections, but GOP leaders have little intention of reaching a compromise with Democrats.

“No, the Republicans don’t want to come up with anything meaningful,” Clinton said, referring to the various immigration bills competing in the House and Senate. “They don’t want to work out the differences. They don’t even want to try.”

The McCain-Kennedy Act, a Senate bill that offered a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, has been made almost unworkable after compromises with Republicans, Clinton said. It requires distinctions between immigrants who have resided in the country for various amounts of time, which would be logistical nightmare to enforce, she said.

Clinton said she and most Democratic senators voted for the bill because it made a step in the right direction. But Republicans have been unwilling to call a conference committee to discuss a middle ground with the House measure, H.R. 4437, which criminalizes all undocumented immigrants.

“We in the Senate don’t want the House bill either,” Clinton said. “We don’t want anything to do with that.”

According to the 2000 Census, Corona and Elmhurst are roughly 50 percent Hispanic, 30 percent Asian, 10 percent white, 7 percent black and three percent other.

Clinton, who was hopping among the five boroughs on a daylong campaign tour, said she always liked coming back to Queens because it’s such a diverse and interesting place. She said she last visited Lefrak City six years ago.

“It’s the place most like America in America, more than any other place,” she said.

Clinton spent the earlier part of the day greeting Lefrak residents and speaking with local elected officials, including Councilwoman Helen Sears (D-Jackson Heights) and state Sen. John Sabini (D-Jackson Heights). Sabini, who is locked in a close race for his seat against Councilman Hiram Monserrate (D-Corona), received gracious words from Clinton.

“I’m proud to stand here with John Sabini; we need to get John Sabini back in office,” Clinton said. “He’s got the experience, he works hard and he delivers for the people.”