Illinois state Senator and Republican candidate for governor Bill Brady says he wants the U.S. to “open the doors” to more immigrants.
Brady’s comments on immigration came at a large breakfast sponsored by the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
BRADY: The birthrate in this country will not allow us to grow at a rate we need to grow at. And we need to bring real reform to immigration policy, and open the doors, so we can see a growth rate in this country of 4 percent or greater.
That statement drew applause at the breakfast, though to reporters afterward, Brady narrowed it a bit. He says the “door” for legal immigration shouldn’t be propped entirely open, but should be opened “bigger.”
In a statement after the event, the campaign of Brady’s Democratic opponent, Governor Pat Quinn, claimed Brady’s position on immigration changes depending on who he’s speaking to.
For his part, Quinn didn’t talk at all about immigration during his 6 minute speech at the Hispanic Chamber event. But a spokeswoman says the governor advocates for what she calls “comprehensive” immigration reform, including border security and way for some undocumented residents to get citizenship.
Originally reported by Chicago Public Radio. Read the original article here.