New York – Kicking off a weekend of events dedicated to America’s immigration heritage, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday that now is the time for immigration reform.
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Bloomberg told a bipartisan delegation of more than 70 political and community leaders from across the country that America needs a modern immigration system that “welcomes the entrepreneurs and the hard workers that will grow our nation’s economy.”
The mayor made the remarks at Gracie Mansion during the “Becoming America Congressional Pilgrimage,” a three-day event organized by the nonprofit Faith & Politics Institute. Attendees include Democratic Reps. Joseph Crowley of New York and Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida.
Bloomberg said almost half of New York City’s small business owners are immigrants.
“Immigrants really are the key to the future of New York — and to the prosperity of our nation,” he said.
The forum will convene at various historical sites across the city, including Ellis Island, the Sept. 11 memorial and the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
At a naturalization ceremony for new citizens on Friday, Crowley talked about how his grandfather came from Ireland in 1912.
“You have sacrificed, you have struggled, you have persisted,” he said. “Each of you has a story of how hard it has been to get here today.”
Diaz-Balart told the group that they are now as American as “any of the founding fathers.”
“You came here to give your families hope and a brighter tomorrow,” he said. “This is a land created by immigrants, by people just like you, with aspirations.”
Oh, just go away, you little tin pot dictator.
Thanks, Mikey, for saying what everyone else has been saying for the last 30 years.
Just because the man has a few bucks doesn’t mean he knows what he is talking about. The man is utterly delusional in his ideas.
When the USA was growing, in the days of Ellis Island, people were coming here LEGALLY! There were procedures for them to become citizens. Now there are people like libs & bloomingidiotberg who want to give citizenship or all its benefits for “free.”.
We don’t want the USA to become an extension of Mexico! Look how they are doing. We DON’T need them here.