Colin Powell: Illegal Immigrants Fix My House
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says illegal immigrants do essential work in the U.S. and he has firsthand knowledge of that - because they fix his house.
Powell, a moderate Republican, urged his party Sunday to support immigration generally because it is "what's keeping this country's lifeblood moving forward."
In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," he said a path to legal status should be offered to illegal immigrants because they "are doing things we need done in this country."
He added: "They're all over my house, doing things whenever I call for repairs, and I'm sure you've seen them at your house. We've got to find a way to bring these people out of the darkness and give them some kind of status."
Powell did not say whether he's hired illegal immigrants directly or they showed up with contractors.
Powell was President George W. Bush's first-term secretary of state and the nation's top military officer in the presidency of Bush's father and in the early months of the Clinton administration. Despite his Republican standing - he was once considered a formidable prospect for the GOP presidential or vice presidential nominations but stayed out of contention - he endorsed Democrat Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.
In lamenting the party's rightward drift Sunday, he said Republicans must not become anti-immigration and spoke in support of legislation that would give certain children of illegal immigrants a way to become citizens if they pursue a college education or military service.
Immigration, he said, offers the U.S. a chance to maintain a youthful population in contrast with the aging of Europe and Japan.
Powell also said "fringe" elements on the right are taking a low road when they label Mr. Obama a foreign-born Muslim and peddle other false theories about non-American influences on the president's character. Mr. Obama was born in the U.S. and is Christian.
"Let's attack him on policy, not nonsense," he said.
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And he said the tea party may not become an enduring force unless it moves beyond slogans and promotes an agenda that people "can see, touch and actually believe in." It's not enough, he said, to call for goals that most Americans support, such as controlled federal spending and adherence to the Constitution.
The former secretary of state said he still sees Mr. Obama as a transformational figure, if one who has lost some of his ability to connect with people.
Powell said he's not giving up on the GOP, even in the face of a rightward drift, and says it might actually help Mr. Obama if Republicans win the House in November and gain responsibility for driving policy, not just opposing Democrats.
© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Powell, a moderate Republican, urged his party Sunday to support immigration generally because it is "what's keeping this country's lifeblood moving forward."
In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," he said a path to legal status should be offered to illegal immigrants because they "are doing things we need done in this country."
He added: "They're all over my house, doing things whenever I call for repairs, and I'm sure you've seen them at your house. We've got to find a way to bring these people out of the darkness and give them some kind of status."
Powell did not say whether he's hired illegal immigrants directly or they showed up with contractors.
Powell was President George W. Bush's first-term secretary of state and the nation's top military officer in the presidency of Bush's father and in the early months of the Clinton administration. Despite his Republican standing - he was once considered a formidable prospect for the GOP presidential or vice presidential nominations but stayed out of contention - he endorsed Democrat Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.
In lamenting the party's rightward drift Sunday, he said Republicans must not become anti-immigration and spoke in support of legislation that would give certain children of illegal immigrants a way to become citizens if they pursue a college education or military service.
Immigration, he said, offers the U.S. a chance to maintain a youthful population in contrast with the aging of Europe and Japan.
Powell also said "fringe" elements on the right are taking a low road when they label Mr. Obama a foreign-born Muslim and peddle other false theories about non-American influences on the president's character. Mr. Obama was born in the U.S. and is Christian.
"Let's attack him on policy, not nonsense," he said.
More Immigration Coverage
Immigration Measure May Get Senate Vote
Experts: "Birthright Tourism" Claims Inaccurate
Justice Dept. Sues Controversial Ariz. Sheriff
Illegal Immigration Declining, Report Shows
Immigrants Turn to Sea to Enter U.S. Illegally
And he said the tea party may not become an enduring force unless it moves beyond slogans and promotes an agenda that people "can see, touch and actually believe in." It's not enough, he said, to call for goals that most Americans support, such as controlled federal spending and adherence to the Constitution.
The former secretary of state said he still sees Mr. Obama as a transformational figure, if one who has lost some of his ability to connect with people.
Powell said he's not giving up on the GOP, even in the face of a rightward drift, and says it might actually help Mr. Obama if Republicans win the House in November and gain responsibility for driving policy, not just opposing Democrats.
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I can see November from my house.
God forbid I have to push a button every once in a while because some people immigrated to my country. Quit reposting chainletters and post something substantive.
We cannot have our justice department filing suit against the state of Arizona for trying to uphold federal law, while they turn a blind eye to the illegal sanctuary cities that are destroying our country?
DOJ should go after Powell for hiring ILLEGAL ALIENS, he is committing a crime and should be arrested.
He should step back and look at his statements in the light of legal Americans who are without jobs and hurting.....
If he runs for anything, he will not get my vote. Just sayin'
Our world and rights for freedom and a place to live begin at home!!!!!!!
Americans are out of work because immigrants come to OUR COUNTRY and undercut the american wage. They live mostly in undesirable neighborhoods, with many people under one roof, too many if the board of health would look into it. So they work cheap.
American's have a code of living to go by for the well being of their families,,,,,,,,,,,,,SO THEY CAN'T WORK as cheap.
This man and anyone like him is a disgrace!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If it weren't for non native Americans this country wouldn't be anything like it is. The American Indians would still be running around in loin cloths chasing buffalo. Give it a rest with the Native American stuff.
And you wouldn't have a school to go to!!