Washington (AFP) - President Barack Obama launched a full-throated defense of open immigration policies Tuesday, hailing it as America's "oldest tradition" amid a fierce election-fueled row over tighter rules.
Hours before Republican candidates held a security-focused final presidential debate of the year, Obama told 31 newly naturalized Americans that fair immigration was the touchstone of their adoptive country.
"Just about every nation in the world, to some extent, accepts immigrants," Obama said. "But there is something unique about America."
Obama -- speaking in the National Archives rotunda, flanked by the US Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence -- said America does not "simply welcome" new arrivals.
"We are born of immigrants, that is who we are, immigration is our origin story."
"For more than two centuries it's remained at the core of our national character, it's our oldest tradition, it's who we are, it's part of what makes us exceptional." ...
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