--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Just because they broke the law doesn't…" description: "\"Just because they broke the law doesn't mean they're condemned forever to a twilight status ... I believe that most Americans feel that for these peopl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/john-mccain-465_america_just-because-they-broke-the-law-doesn-t_646691.png" --- # Just because they broke the law doesn't mean they're… ![“Just because they broke the law doesn't mean they're condemned forever to a twilight status ... I believe that most Americans feel that for these people who have come illegally, as long as they pay back taxes, pay a fine, learn English and get behind everybody else, that's a key element of it. And…” quote by John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/john-mccain-465_america_just-because-they-broke-the-law-doesn-t_646691.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/john-mccain-465_america_just-because-they-broke-the-law-doesn-t_646691.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/john-mccain-465_america_just-because-they-broke-the-law-doesn-t_646691.png) > “Just because they broke the law doesn't mean they're condemned forever to a twilight status ... I believe that most Americans feel that for these people who have come illegally, as long as they pay back taxes, pay a fine, learn English and get behind everybody else, that's a key element of it. And most Americans now realize we can't have 11 million people sit in the twilight, the shadows of America, forever.” [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Legal status can be restored through responsibility and integration, not permanent marginalization. **In simple terms:** People can change their status by contributing and assimilating. Key Takeaway Encourage pathways to citizenship. Themes immigration integration responsibility Mood hopeful determined Type political inspirational When to use this quote - employment - education - language learning - tax compliance Key Concepts social contract citizenship taxation Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities should accompany legal status? - How does integration benefit society? A Different Perspective Some may argue that legal barriers remain despite reforms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Elements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elements/) [Immigration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigration/) [Immigration reform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigration-reform/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadow/) [Taxes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxes/) [Twilight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twilight/) ## Related quotes > [Just because they broke the law doesn't mean they're condemned forever to a twilight status. So, I think that most Americans, if these people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/just-because-they-broke-the-law-doesn-t-mean-they-re-condemned-2/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [I'm comparing Americans to international peers in terms of GDP, educational system - the sort of benchmarks we used to designate a so-called developed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-andersen/i-m-comparing-americans-to-international-peers-in-terms-of-gdp/) [Kurt Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-andersen/) > [I very firmly believe that we have to make sure that we enforce our borders, that we have an employment verification system, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-very-firmly-believe-that-we-have-to-make-sure-that-we-enforce-our/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [When we have had in the past programs that have said that the people who come here illegally are going to get to stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/when-we-have-had-in-the-past-programs-that-have-said-that-the-people/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [I don't want to take away deferred status from anyone who has it, but I also didn't want to send the message that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-lipinski/i-don-t-want-to-take-away-deferred-status-from-anyone-who-has-it-but/) [Dan Lipinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-lipinski/) > [Illegal immigration continues to be a major problem in the United States. We have people waiting to come here legally. And we should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barrasso/illegal-immigration-continues-to-be-a-major-problem-in-the-united/) [John Barrasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barrasso/) > [I try and make it to the word exactly what I said four years ago and what I said was that those who've come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-try-and-make-it-to-the-word-exactly-what-i-said-four-years-ago-and/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [For those who have come here illegally, they might have a transition time to allow them to set their affairs in order. And then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/for-those-who-have-come-here-illegally-they-might-have-a-transition/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [Reforms to our complex and dysfunctional immigration system should not in any way favor those who came here illegally over the millions of applicants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/reforms-to-our-complex-and-dysfunctional-immigration-system-should/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [Extending amnesty to those who came here illegally or overstayed their visas is dangerous waters...We are a nation of laws, and I will evaluate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-sensenbrenner/extending-amnesty-to-those-who-came-here-illegally-or-overstayed/) [Jim Sensenbrenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-sensenbrenner/) > [Few Americans realize it, but the United Nations is driving to take control over the Internet. You remember, the folks who want a worldwide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-l-herman/few-americans-realize-it-but-the-united-nations-is-driving-to-take/) [Arthur L. Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-l-herman/) > [The government satirizes itself. All we can wish is that there will be a large number of Americans who will realize how dumb this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/the-government-satirizes-itself-all-we-can-wish-is-that-there-will-be/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [I wish that all Americans would realize that American politics is world politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/i-wish-that-all-americans-would-realize-that-american-politics-is/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Americans cannot realize how many chances for mental improvement they lose by their inveterate habit of keeping six conversations when there are twelve in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-dimnet/americans-cannot-realize-how-many-chances-for-mental-improvement-they/) [Ernest Dimnet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-dimnet/) > [“New Rule: Americans must realize what makes NFL football so great: socialism. That's right, the NFL takes money from the rich teams and gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/new-rule-americans-must-realize-what-makes-nfl-football-so-great/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) ## More by John McCain > [I have the utmost confidence in General Mattis, General Flynn, General Kelly, Dan Coates. I couldn't have picked a better team. And so I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-have-the-utmost-confidence-in-general-mattis-general-flynn-general/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Washington is a Hollywood for ugly people. Hollywood is a Washington for the simpleminded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/washington-is-a-hollywood-for-ugly-people-hollywood-is-a-washington/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [I think that it's important that we understand the importance of the Hispanic vote in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-think-that-it-s-important-that-we-understand-the-importance-of-the/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [ I will not agree to have this bill \[to repeal DADT \] go forward, because our economy is in the tank. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-will-not-agree-to-have-this-bill-to-repeal-dadt-go-forward-because/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [I don't know a politician who enjoys fundraising. The system is such that the American people have lost faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-don-t-know-a-politician-who-enjoys-fundraising-the-system-is-such/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [It is perhaps my greatest hope, Mr. President, that some day we'll consider tax and spending measures with no one else in mind but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/it-is-perhaps-my-greatest-hope-mr-president-that-some-day-we-ll/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [This kind of horror has become all too familiar to us. As parents, Cindy and I offer our prayers to the memory of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/this-kind-of-horror-has-become-all-too-familiar-to-us-as-parents/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Thousands of Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq upholding their oaths and defending this nation. Chelsea Manning broke her oath and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/thousands-of-americans-have-given-their-lives-in-afghanistan-and-iraq/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [The truth is sometimes a hard pill to swallow. It sometimes causes us difficulties at home and abroad. It is sometimes used by our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/the-truth-is-sometimes-a-hard-pill-to-swallow-it-sometimes-causes-us/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Countries, not just their armies, win wars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/countries-not-just-their-armies-win-wars/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [My greatest fear is the Iranians acquire a nuclear weapon and give it to a terrorist organization. And there is a real threat of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/my-greatest-fear-is-the-iranians-acquire-a-nuclear-weapon-and-give-it/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Presidential ambition is a disease that can only be cured by embalming fluid .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/presidential-ambition-is-a-disease-that-can-only-be-cured-by/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [3 "amnesty" didn't mean rewarding illegal behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/3-amnesty-didn-t-mean-rewarding-illegal-behavior/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [On the subject of Osama bin Laden... we will track him down. We will capture him. We will bring him to justice, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/on-the-subject-of-osama-bin-laden-we-will-track-him-down-we-will/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [That's Joe Biden right there - unbowed, unbroken and unable to stop talking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/that-s-joe-biden-right-there-unbowed-unbroken-and-unable-to-stop/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) [Explore all 539 John McCain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. 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