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We must fix our broken immigration system. That means stopping illegal immigration. And it means welcoming properly vetted legal immigrants, regardless of their race or religion. Just like we have for centuries.

First of all, we haven't always welcomed immigrants.

We cannot shun our values as an immigrant nation. This is a wrong path. And while possibly it is a short-term political victory based on division and based on creating a wedge issue that splits people in this country, it is a long-term defeat for this Nation.

I think most Americans would agree that we need sensible solutions that fix our immigration system and deal humanely with aspiring citizens currently in our country. At the same time, these solutions must increase the security of our borders.

We need to remain a nation that doesn't just welcome but that celebrates legal immigrants who come here seeking to pursue the American Dream.

We must honor our country's tradition of openness and continue to welcome new immigrants.

Much of what we now consider to be problems concerning immigration and assimilation really concern Mexican immigration and assimilation.

And we'll build a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants who are already contributing to our economy!

I fully recognize we need to improve the path to citizenship, just as we need to value the hard work of folks who become American citizens legally.