Castro Testifies on Immigration Reform

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro takes his place in the national spotlight--once again--this time to add his voice to the debate on immigration reform. The Mayor was one of several witnesses to appear before the full House Judiciary Committee--again pressing his call for Congress to take action on a meaningful plan, that included creating a path to citizenship for the bulk of those who are currently in the United States illegally. 
 

"Senators who have worked on this--from both parties--have pointed out that a path to citizenship is the best option" the Mayor said in answering a question from Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte--rejecting the notion there is a middle ground between mass deportations and a path to citizenship. 

"The extreme I would say.... would be open borders" the Mayor told the Committee. It's a position he stuck with while being questioned by San Antonio Congressman Lamar Smith--who sits on the Committee. 
 

"Do you see any compromise area between the current status quo--and a path to citizenship for virtually all of the 11-million or more illegal immigrants in the country today?" Smith asked the Mayor, who replied "I see the compromise as a recognition tha  apth to citizenship will be earned citizenship" Castro said. The Mayor earlier expressed support for fines and sending those who are in the country illegally now to the back of the line when it comes to gaining citizenship. 
 

For his part--the Congressman agreed something has to be done. 
 

"We admit only about six-percent of the legal immigrants now on the basis of their skills--that happens to be I think the lowest percentage of any industrialized country int he world" Smith said, though quickly cautioned change has to be enacted carefully.