--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have 11 million people in this country…" description: "\"We have 11 million people in this country that need a pathway to citizenship.\" — Dick Durbin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/dick-durbin-3181_citizenship_we-have-11-million-people-in-this-countr_1761282.png" --- # We have 11 million people in this country that need a… ![“We have 11 million people in this country that need a pathway to citizenship.” quote by Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/dick-durbin-3181_citizenship_we-have-11-million-people-in-this-countr_1761282.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/dick-durbin-3181_citizenship_we-have-11-million-people-in-this-countr_1761282.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/dick-durbin-3181_citizenship_we-have-11-million-people-in-this-countr_1761282.png) > “We have 11 million people in this country that need a pathway to citizenship.” [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Millions lack legal status, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform. **In simple terms:** Many need a path to citizenship. Key Takeaway Advocate for fair immigration policies. Themes immigration justice policy Mood advocacy urgent Type political humanitarian When to use this quote - employment - education - healthcare - civic participation Key Concepts law human rights Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to support reform? - How does citizenship affect community stability? A Different Perspective Political resistance and public opinion can stall reforms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Citizenship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Immigration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigration/) [Immigration reform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigration-reform/) [Pathways](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pathways/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [A special pathway to citizenship is off the table... when I talk to members of the group in the Senate, they're saying that we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raul-labrador/a-special-pathway-to-citizenship-is-off-the-table-when-i-talk-to/) [Raul Labrador](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raul-labrador/) > [There will never be a bill without a pathway to citizenship signed by the president...And in turn there will never be a pathway to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/there-will-never-be-a-bill-without-a-pathway-to-citizenship-signed-by/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [People have a pathway to citizenship right now- It's to abide by the immigration laws, and if they have a family relationship, if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goodlatte/people-have-a-pathway-to-citizenship-right-now-it-s-to-abide-by-the/) [Bob Goodlatte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goodlatte/) > [Told reporters Wednesday he can support a pathway to citizenship for some of the 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. and that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrell-issa/told-reporters-wednesday-he-can-support-a-pathway-to-citizenship-for/) [Darrell Issa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrell-issa/) > [He had 'deep concerns' with the pathway to citizenship for the nation's 11 million illegal immigrants under consideration by the group, calling it 'profoundly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/he-had-deep-concerns-with-the-pathway-to-citizenship-for-the-nation-s/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [We are dealing with the question of the 11 million people paying their taxes, having a path to legalization and, then, ultimately, to citizenship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-are-dealing-with-the-question-of-the-11-million-people-paying/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [One simple rule: no amnesty, no special pathway to citizenship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/one-simple-rule-no-amnesty-no-special-pathway-to-citizenship/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [We feel a pathway to citizenship would reward illegal activity, ... Amnesty encourages further illegal immigration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-chao/we-feel-a-pathway-to-citizenship-would-reward-illegal-activity/) [Elaine Chao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-chao/) > [We're being overrun by people who live in poor and corrupt countries who come to the USA to get work. But we got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/we-re-being-overrun-by-people-who-live-in-poor-and-corrupt-countries/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [ We \[Americans\] really need a system that comprehensively looks at the fact that we need these workers in the United States, we need to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pramila-jayapal/we-americans-really-need-a-system-that-comprehensively-looks-at-the/) [Pramila Jayapal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pramila-jayapal/) > [We do not support an automatic pathway to citizenship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-chao/we-do-not-support-an-automatic-pathway-to-citizenship/) [Elaine Chao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-chao/) > [Speaker Boehner needs to understand the urgency for reform. Until the House passes a bill that includes a pathway to citizenship, we will continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliseo-medina/speaker-boehner-needs-to-understand-the-urgency-for-reform-until-the/) Eliseo Medina > [ You can't take 11 \[million people \] at one time and just say, boom, you're gone. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/you-can-t-take-11-million-people-at-one-time-and-just-say-boom-you-re/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I would just say it's not good for the country to have 11 million people here who we don't know who they are, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/i-would-just-say-it-s-not-good-for-the-country-to-have-11-million/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [I think comprehensive immigration reform while securing your border and dealing rationale with 11 million is the only way we're going to solve this problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/i-think-comprehensive-immigration-reform-while-securing-your-border/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) ## More by Dick Durbin > [We believe that there are aspects of border security that Democrats and Republicans can agree on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-believe-that-there-are-aspects-of-border-security-that-democrats/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [When you're talking about long-term deficit reduction, $4 trillion worth, entitlement reform needs to be part of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/when-you-re-talking-about-long-term-deficit-reduction-4-trillion/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [I prefer Raisin Bran. But I like the Mini-Wheats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/i-prefer-raisin-bran-but-i-like-the-mini-wheats/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [As a government lawyer, Samuel Alito wrote that he personally believe very strongly the Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/as-a-government-lawyer-samuel-alito-wrote-that-he-personally-believe/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [We've had enough with the gun traffickers and straw purchasers who buy guns out of state and sell them out of the trunks of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-ve-had-enough-with-the-gun-traffickers-and-straw-purchasers-who/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [Having billions of dollars immediately available to plug budget holes without raising taxes is very appealing. And to the delight of Wall Street investors,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/having-billions-of-dollars-immediately-available-to-plug-budget-holes/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [It is a challenge to all of us, and it's a challenge we need to meet, to make sure the Quincy Veterans' Home is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/it-is-a-challenge-to-all-of-us-and-it-s-a-challenge-we-need-to-meet/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [Reducing and removing greenhouse gas emissions spares our planet from the well-documented degradation that we are witnessing on a global basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/reducing-and-removing-greenhouse-gas-emissions-spares-our-planet-from/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [It is tough to run for public office and face an opponent, to decide on issues what is the best thing, then face the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/it-is-tough-to-run-for-public-office-and-face-an-opponent-to-decide/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [We ought to deal with Social Security in a separate conversation that is not part of deficit reduction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-ought-to-deal-with-social-security-in-a-separate-conversation-that/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [I have thought about this issue of abortion time and again. It is not an easy issue for most people. I came to believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/i-have-thought-about-this-issue-of-abortion-time-and-again-it-is-not/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [We will have health care reform in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-will-have-health-care-reform-in-america/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [Magazine clips with more than 10 rounds should be prohibited from civilian use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/magazine-clips-with-more-than-10-rounds-should-be-prohibited-from/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [With every new corporate inversion, the tax burden increases on the rest of us to pay what these corporations don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/with-every-new-corporate-inversion-the-tax-burden-increases-on-the/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [Let me tell you, the first president to recognize the state of Israel was Harry Truman, a Democrat. And every president since, Democrat and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/let-me-tell-you-the-first-president-to-recognize-the-state-of-israel/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) [Explore all 137 Dick Durbin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) ## More Citizenship quotes > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [If you don't plan to live the Christian life totally committed to knowing your God and to walking in obedience to Him, then don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-arthur/if-you-don-t-plan-to-live-the-christian-life-totally-committed-to/) [Kay Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-arthur/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [There can be a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act, but why should we shelter someone who has come to India illegally from outside?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raj-thackeray/there-can-be-a-debate-on-the-citizenship-amendment-act-but-why-should/) [Raj Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raj-thackeray/) > [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [The point I wish plainly to bring before you on this occasion is the individuality of each human soul--our Protestant idea, the right of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/the-point-i-wish-plainly-to-bring-before-you-on-this-occasion-is-the/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Undeniably, character does count for our citizens, out communities, and our Nation, and this week we celebrate the importance of character in our individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/undeniably-character-does-count-for-our-citizens-out-communities-and/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [“Encouraging Robert E. Lee to take a job as college president, "You might be presenting to the world in such a position an example…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-nelson-pendleton/encouraging-robert-e-lee-to-take-a-job-as-college-president-you-might/) William Nelson Pendleton > [“What constitutes an American? Not color nor race nor religion. Not the pedigree of his family nor the place of his birth. Not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ickes/what-constitutes-an-american-not-color-nor-race-nor-religion-not-the/) Harold Ickes > [In an age of interdependence, global citizenship - based on trust and sense of shared responsibility - is a crucial pillar of progress. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/in-an-age-of-interdependence-global-citizenship-based-on-trust-and/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [Strengthening our identity is one way of reinforcing people's confidence and sense of citizenship and well-being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-blunkett/strengthening-our-identity-is-one-way-of-reinforcing-people-s/) [David Blunkett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-blunkett/) > [We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/we-are-not-to-simply-bandage-the-wounds-of-victims-beneath-the-wheels/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) [Browse all 793 Citizenship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We have 11 million people in this country that need a pathway to citizenship.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dick Durbin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-have-11-million-people-in-this-country-that-need-a-pathway-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Citizenship" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-have-11-million-people-in-this-country-that-need-a-pathway-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/dick-durbin-3181_citizenship_we-have-11-million-people-in-this-countr_1761282.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/dick-durbin-3181_citizenship_we-have-11-million-people-in-this-countr_1761282.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/dick-durbin-3181_citizenship_we-have-11-million-people-in-this-countr_1761282.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We have 11 million people in this country that need a pathway to citizenship.” — Dick Durbin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dick Durbin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We have 11 million people in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-have-11-million-people-in-this-country-that-need-a-pathway-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-have-11-million-people-in-this-country-that-need-a-pathway-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```