Rodriguez offers plan to defuse immigration debate

President Joe Biden has started rolling back Donald Trump's immigration policies, opening up the borders, and promising blanket amnesty for 11 million illegal aliens. In contrast, most conservatives favor strong borders and obedience with U.S. immigration laws. They are also concerned that liberals are pandering to those who are in the country illegally in order to get millions of new Democratic voters – in hopes of making Republicans a permanent political minority.

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, tells One News Now that his group's plan is not only biblical but also politically viable.

"Number one: secure the border," he begins. "If Joe Biden doesn't want to continue building the wall, make sure you incorporate infrared technology, satellite imaging … incorporate technology for making certain that that wall does exist."

And he while he wouldn't give amnesty to every illegal immigrant, he argues that some of them do deserve the privilege.

"Number two: Let's legalize the Dreamers, who had no choice in coming into this country illegally," he emphasizes. "Let's let these young men and women, who are now close to 40 years of age, become citizens."

And the parents of those Dreamers, says Rodriguez, should not get amnesty – ever. He supports giving them green cards; but not a blanket amnesty.

"There should be a price to pay. You came here illegally," he points out. "There's a price to pay – and that price is you're never going to become a citizen."

As for new Hispanic voters who could tip the balance of power in Washington? Rodriguez says it's not as big a threat as conservatives believe it to be. Hispanics broke in large numbers for Donald Trump in 2020 – in large part, according to Rodriguez, because they are strongly pro-life and anti-socialist.