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You know, the eleven million people living in the shadows, I believe, they're already American citizens... These people are just waiting, waiting for a chance to contribute fully. And by that standard alone eleven million undocumented aliens are already Americans in my view.
Joe Biden
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes that undocumented individuals are integral to American society and should be recognized as citizens.

Joe Biden's quote speaks to the existence of eleven million undocumented immigrants who live in the shadows of American society. He argues that these individuals, despite their lack of formal citizenship, embody the values and contributions that define what it means to be American. Biden suggests that their potential to enrich the nation should not be overlooked and that they are already part of the social fabric of the country, waiting for an opportunity to participate fully in society.

Themes

ImmigrationUndocumentedCitizenshipContributionAmerica

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech advocating for immigration reform, a speaker might reference this quote to highlight the importance of inclusivity.

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