Eric Holder: Path to Earned Citizenship 'A Matter of Civil and Human Rights

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Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday called creating a pathway to earned citizenship for illegal immigrants "a matter of civil and human rights."

Speaking to the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Holder reiterated President Barack Obama's call that it is "long past time" for fair, comprehensive immigration reform.

"Creating a pathway to earned citizenship for the 11 million unauthorized immigrants in this country is absolutely essential," Holder said. "The way we treat our friends and neighbors who are undocumented, by creating a mechanism for them to earn citizenship and move out of the shadows, transcends the issue of immigration status. This is a matter of civil and human rights. It is about who we are as a nation. And it goes to the core of our treasured American principle of equal opportunity."

Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), part of the group heading up immigration reform in the Senate, made it clear on Thursday that a final immigration deal must include a path to citizenship.

Holder's full 18-min. remarks:

(h/t Fox Nation)

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