Panel debates what to do with broken immigration system

By Jason Buch

Updated 12:05 a.m., Tuesday, March 29, 2011
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That the U.S. immigration system is broken was about the only thing all panelists tackling that topic Monday at St. Mary's University could agree on.

But four of the five participants favored a path to citizenship for those already in the country illegally and more visas for those trying to get here.

On those issues, U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund national litigation director Nina Perales, St. Mary's law professor and activist Lee Teran and Benita Veliz, a St. Mary's alumna facing deportation, squared off against George Rodriguez, president of the San Antonio Tea Party.

In most criminal cases, Gonzalez said, first-time offenders are not punished to the full extent of the law. They usually receive deferred adjudication or probation.

“I say why don't we just apply that to our immigration system, and have pathway to citizenship?â€