Kennedy: Immigration Reform Critical to National Security

Last Edited: Monday, 18 Jun 2007, 2:32 PM EDT


By KEN MAGUIRE
Associated Press Writer
BOSTON -- U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy said Monday that failing to pass immigration reforms would push illegal immigrants into isolation and create breeding grounds for homegrown terrorists.

Kennedy pointed to several European countries where he said alienation and immigration problems has led to terrorist acts.
"Just look what happened in Great Britain, with the isolation of the communities," Kennedy said at a meeting of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. "Look what has happened in France. Look what has happened in Germany. Look where the cells are in terms of al-Qaida. They're all in different communities, which failed to assimilate individuals."

The Massachusetts Democrat is a leading proponent, along with President Bush, of legislation that would grant millions of illegal immigrants lawful status, while tightening border security and creating new measures for weeding illegal workers off of job sites. The legislation has stalled in Congress amid criticism -- especially from conservatives -- that it gives lawbreakers amnesty.

But Kennedy said passing such legislation was critical to the country's national security, among other arguments.

"Why is it that virtually no Muslims in India are members of al-Qaida. Has anybody asked that question?," Kennedy asked. "It's because they all feel they're included."

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