Biden once again says that illegal immigrants are “Americans”

The VP and wife Dr. Jill Biden hosted a Cinco de Mayo breakfast at their home at the Naval Observatory. The Vice President gave remarks at the event — which had members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, national Hispanic leaders, Hispanic media and administration officials in attendance — about the immigration situation in the United States.

During his talk, Biden noted that some of his prior remarks on illegal immigrants haven’t been well-received.

“And I know I was criticized for saying a couple of months ago in Florida that these 11 million folks in the shadows are already Americans and I got pretty roundly criticized for that,” Biden acknowledged, according to the press report. “But they are Americans. They may not be citizens, but they are Americans.”

“In the definition of Teddy Roosevelt — he said Americanism is not a question of birthplace or creed or line of descent, it’s a question of principles, idealism and character,” the Vice President continued. “And I would argue that those 11 million folks who have been here breaking their neck, working hard, they are Americans.”

Just two days ago, Biden said much the same thing while speaking to students at The Miami Dade College graduation ceremony. The Vice President also said something similar in the end of March during a visit to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Biden added at the time that he was tired of hearing people say immigration reform is going to bankrupt the country.

At Monday’s breakfast, the Vice President also said that reforming the immigration system will be beneficial to the U.S. economy. He said that in 230 years of the country’s immigration system, the nation has benefited from an influx of people who possessed a “sense of courage and optimism and movement.”

“We share so much more in common with Mexico than just a border,” Biden said. “We share values, a common history, and I think common dreams.”