Immigration laws could be expanded to include family members of service members.

Touchy debate pits "support for the troops" against "amnesty" claims.

By Michael Board
Thursday, September 18, 2008


Congressman Lamar Smith, who represents San Antonio, has failed in his bid to stop a House Resolution that would give citizenship to the illegal immigrant families of American soldiers, serving in a war zone.

"I understand that, in a time of war, the American people feel an enormous debt of gratitude to the U-S military service members and their families," he said in the House Judiciary Committee. "However that gratitude is no reason to offer immigration benefits to nearly every person related to someone who has served in the armed forces."

Smith (R-TX) feels H.R. 6020 goes too far, offering citizenship to even remote family members.

The bill was introduced as an amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act, by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).

"We can't have soldiers and sailors, deployed to the gulf, living in fear that while they're are gone, their husbands... their wives.. their children will be deported."

The resolution passed the House Judiciary Subcommittee, late yesterday, 16-12. It now goes to the full House.