Durbin Seeks To Clarify Role Of Proposed Border Security Commission

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At Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s weekly press availability, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) — a member of the immigration reform Gang of Eight — attempted to clarify whether, under the group’s plan, officials in southwestern states would be given the power to determine if and when immigrants can begin the process of obtaining citizenship.

“Let me — let me clarify this. What we — we haven’t written the section, but what we envision is — is to create metrics, measurements, in terms of progress on border security that could be certified or at least attested to by local officials. But the ultimate decision will be by the Department of Homeland Security. So it isn’t going to be something as generic as safe and secure borders. We’d never agree on that. But metrics, in terms of resources on the border and the impact it has on illegal immigration.”

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