Via ZEENews

Washington, Mar 09: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, a potential White House candidate in 2008, alleged that some Republicans are trying to create a "police state" to round up illegal immigrants.

Clinton, the wife of former President Bill Clinton, spoke out on the US Immigration Policy after largely staying away from an issue that has roiled congress in recent months and spurred a number of conflicting proposals.

Speaking at a rally of Irish immigrants, Clinton, a Democrat, blasted a bill the House passed in December that would impose harsher penalties for undocumented workers.

"Don't turn your backs on what made this country great," she said, adding the house bill "is a rebuke to what America stands for."

The house measure makes unlawful presence in the US, which is currently a civil offense, a felony.

Clinton called it "an unworkable scheme to try to deport 11 million people, which you have to have a police state to try to do."

She called instead for immigration reform "based on strengthening our borders in order to make us safer from the threat of terrorism."

While her remarks will draw attention for the implications for the 2008 presidential race, many of those in the crowd traveled from New York, where she is up for re-election this year.

As she was speaking, the Senator also sent a four-page letter to constituents outlining her views on immigration. She shied away from specifics in the letter but said she supports allowing at least some of the estimated 11 million undocumented workers to earn citizenship.