Hillary Clinton called for a path to US citizenship for undocumented immigrants at a Nevada campaign appearance yesterday, clearly delineating a difference between her and Republican candidates for the presidency. At a high school in Las Vegas the Democrat presidential candidate stated that the only true solution to the immigration problems of the United States would be to offer a path to full citizenship.
Clinton is being closely watched by immigration activists and Hispanics for any indications about how she would break the legislative deadlock on the issue, which has suffered delays in Congress for a number of years. Clinton has given her support to the unsuccessful pitch made by President Obama for a fully-comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s immigration system, including halting the deportation of some immigrants and offering others a path to full citizenship.Clinton wavered at the time of the 2008 primaries and eventually came out against giving driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, which is a stance she now claims to have changed her position on. Clinton’s decision draws a clear line between herself and the Republican presidential candidates, although the former governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, has supported immigration reform and has appeal with Latino voters.
Given the support received by Obama from the Latino community, which played a big role in his election victories in 2008 and 2012, this issue could turn out to be a pivotal one in the race to the White House next year.