McCain, Graham: ‘Delaying Or Stopping Entirely’ Immigration Reform Over Boston Is Wrong

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Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said in a statement on Friday that the Boston bombing should not be used in order to slow or halt immigration reform efforts. 

“In the wake of this week’s terrorist attack in Boston, some have already suggested that the circumstances of this terrible tragedy are justification for delaying or stopping entirely the effort for comprehensive immigration reform,” the statement reads. “In fact the opposite is true: Immigration reform will strengthen our nation’s security by helping us identify exactly who has entered our country and who has left – a basic function of government that our broken immigration system is incapable of accomplishing today. The status quo is unacceptable. We have 11 million people living in the shadows, which leaves this nation vulnerable to a myriad of threats. That is all the more reason why comprehensive immigration reform is so essential. By modernizing our system of legal immigration, identifying and conducting background checks on people here illegally, and finally securing our border, we will make America more secure.”

Their call follows similar comments from fellow “Gang of 8” Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who both cautioned their colleagues against jumping to conclusions. 

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