The Hill
By Rafael Bernal
April 5, 2016
Bernie
Sanders says the nation’s trade policy is partly to blame for expanded
illegal immigration, arguing that the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) has worsened economic and political
conditions in Latin America.
In
response to a questionnaire published by the The National Hispanic
Leadership Agenda (NHLA) Monday, the Democratic presidential candidate
said NAFTA was supposed to "significantly reduce
the flow of undocumented immigrants into this country," but “history
has demonstrated the opposite."
NAFTA
was approved under President Clinton. Sanders has attacked his rival in
the White House race, Hillary Clinton, for supporting the trade pact in
the 1990s, arguing it created lost jobs
and a “race to the bottom.”
In
her answers to the NHLA questionnaire, Hillary Clinton did not address
the root causes of illegal immigration, though she declared herself a
supporter of comprehensive immigration reform
and a "humane and targeted" enforcement system.
Sanders,
meanwhile, declared he would support legislative measures beyond
comprehensive immigration reform and would expand upon President Obama's
executive actions on immigration. Clinton
has made a similar pledge.
The
NHLA, a major coalition of Hispanic associations, said they presented
the questionnaire to all presidential candidates in February.
Both Democratic presidential candidates submitted their responses, which NHLA published.
"We didn't hear from any of the Republicans," said NHLA Chairman Héctor Sánchez.
"The
doors are wide open and we really want to engage with all the
candidates to better understand their policy priorities," added Sánchez,
who said NHLA is non-partisan.
The
survey included questions on issues ranging from immigration and voting
rights to climate change and Puerto Rico's financial crisis.
For more information, go to: www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com
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