San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro testifies about immigration reform

Castro: 'I think the best option is a path to citizenship'

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro testified Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee in Washington about the divisive issue of immigration reform.

Castro told the full committee it would not be amnesty to create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

"We must do at least three things," Castro said. "Further strengthen border security, streamline the legal immigration process so that law-abiding companies can get the workers they need in this 21st century global economy, and create a path to citizenship to bring the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country out of the shadows and into the full light of the American dream."

Castro said immigrants would be required to go to the back of the line to apply for citizenship, pay back taxes, and learn English.  He also said he considers undocumented agricultural workers skilled labor because they do the kind of work not everyone can do.

Castro was among several witnesses called upon by the committee to share their opinions and expertise on the issue.


About the Author:

Diana Winters is a San Antonio-area native, Emmy award-winning and GLAAD-nominated journalist who loves the Alamo City. She is the executive producer of SA Live, creator of South Texas PRIDE and co-creator of Texas Eats.