U.S Immigration reforms and Boston bombing issues fuel clash between Republicans and Democrats

U.S Immigration reforms and Boston bombing issues fuel clash between Republicans and Democrats

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Washington, DC: Republican senators want debate on the proposed immigration reform bill stopped in light of the Boston Marathon bombing by suspected Chechen men, but Democrats say the attack should not be tied to the measure.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) Monday called for scrutiny of the asylum program as the attack exposed a weakness in the system. He was referring to the entry of the foreign suspects into the country after their parents were granted political asylum.
“We should not proceed until we understand the specific failures of our immigration system,” Rand told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in a letter, according to Washington Times.
Paul specifically wanted to know the status of the entry-exit system, student visas and the refugee system. He also suggested that national security concerns should be incorporated into an immigration bill.
Paul’s call echoed what Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a member of the Judiciary Committee, said Friday. Grassley said the Boston bombings will help shed light on the weaknesses of the immigration system. He also said the incident serves as an opportunity to make American remain vigilant and secure the homeland.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vermont) called it unfair to hold the hopes of illegal immigrants hostage to the heinous acts of the suspects.
“Let no one be so cruel as to try to use the acts of two young men last week to derail the dreams and futures of millions of hardworking people,” ABC News quoted Leahy as saying on Monday. By Windsor Genova, Fourth Estate Cooperative Contributor
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One of the confrontations was well reported by Jennifer Jacobs of the Des Moine Register:
In a testy outburst, Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley refuted an accusation that he was using the Boston bombings as an excuse for delaying immigration reform.

The spat with Democratic U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer broke out this morning (April 22, 2013) in the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting when the New York senator asked, without naming names, that fellow senators who disagree with the immigration bill simply offer amendments to improve it, and let it progress to a vote.

“I say that particularly to those who were pointing to what happened, the terrible tragedy in Boston as a, I would say excuse, for not doing a bill or delaying it many months or years,” Schumer said, looking out at the audience.

“I never said that!” Grassley called out.

Schumer turned and looked toward Grassley, sitting three seats away.

“I didn’t say you did, sir,” Schumer said.

“I never said that!” Grassley repeated.

“I didn’t say you did, sir.”

Grassley went on: “I didn’t say anything about delaying the bill.”

“I don’t mean you, Mr. Grassley.”
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Margaret Thatcher, Mandela and Africa.  By Chido Nwangwu, Founder & Publisher of USAfrica, and the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper published on the internet USAfricaonline.com. Click for newscast video of London-based SkyNEWS, the global, 24-hour British international tv network’s interview with USAfrica’s Publisher Chido Nwangwu on April 11, 2013 regarding this latest commentary http://youtu.be/G0fJXq_pi1c )

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