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Cites Bible to argue against measure
making illegal presence in U.S. felony

Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton invoked Jesus to argue against a House immigration bill that would make illegal presence in the United States a felony.

"It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scriptures," Clinton said, according to the Associated Press, "because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself."

Clinton delivered her remarks as the Senate prepared to take up a version of the measure, which passed the House in December.

Unlawful presence in the U.S. currently is a civil offense.

Flanked by New York immigration activists, Clinton called the bill "mean-spirited" and inconsistent with Republicans' professed support for faith and values, the AP said.

Clinton said she hoped the Senate Judiciary Committee would come up with a compromise that would remove the House's severe penalties.

The New York senator said, however, she would back legislation to strengthen U.S. borders and seek more cooperation with Mexico and other neighboring countries.

She also wants to establish a way for the nation's approximately 11 million illegal immigrants to gain citizenship.

While recognizing the distress illegal immigration causes border communities, Clinton insisted Republicans are taking a great political risk in pushing the House bill forward.

"We want the outcome to be that they're on the wrong side of the politics as well as the wrong side of history and American values," she said.

As WorldNetDaily reported, a bill that would give millions of illegal aliens in the United States the opportunity to earn citizenship advanced last week when members of the Senate Judiciary Committee signaled likely passage of a proposal by Sens. Edward Kenney, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz.

Though a committee vote will not be held until after a week-long congressional recess, likely March 27, committee members appeared ready to back the Kennedy-McCain bill.