Hillary Clinton blasted opponents of immigration reform late Tuesday at an event in Chicago.
She said people who oppose immigration reform are “scared” and don’t understand that “one of our strongest and most important attributes is that we are a nation of immigrants,” according to Bloomberg News.
Clinton said she is “somewhat bewildered” by the immigration debate in Washington and said she believes “strongly in immigration reform.”’
{mosads}“Everybody I talk to personally, Democratic and Republican alike in the leadership of both houses, know we have to have immigration reform,” Clinton said, according to CNN. “Part of the strength of the vitality of our economy is the fact that people still want to come to this country, make their stake, prove themselves.”
Clinton said the U.S. would be “stronger” if its immigration system were reformed, adding, “I hope that the Congress can get around to doing it this year.”
Clinton spoke the same night House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) lost in a shocking GOP primary result. Cantor’s loss was immediately seen as another sign that it will be difficult to move immigration reform through the House, since Cantor’s opponent had attacked him on the issue.
Clinton is widely expected to run for the Democratic nomination for president.
The founder of Wonderful Brands, Stuart Resnick, is a Clinton supporter and interviewed her on stage at the event for the United Fresh Produce Association and the Food Marketing Institute. Resnick pointed out the agriculture and food production industries are generally supportive of reform.