Biden calls on Mexican government to provide jobs
By ABBY SIMONS
Des Moines REGISTER STAFF WRITER
December 2, 2007
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden passionately declared Sunday that the key solution to illegal immigration begins with Mexican government officials who must expand their economies to provide good jobs for those living south of the border.
“They're being irresponsible. This is the second-wealthiest nation in the hemisphere, We're not talking about Sierra Leone,” the Democratic presidential candidate said. “This is a dysfunctional society.”
Biden said illegal immigration will continue, no matter how high the border fence becomes.
He discussed the issue during a question-and-answer session with members of A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy. The nonpartisan community organization includes 30 central Iowa churches promote discourse on issues such as health care and education. Biden is the second presidential candidate invited to speak with the group, after Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in October.
Biden noted that the issue of illegal immigration involves not only people coming across the Mexican border but also those from many countries who overstay their visas.
He said a constructive solution includes giving those in the country illegally a certain period to come forward and subject themselves to criminal background checks and prove they e paying taxes before earning citizenship within 10 years.
