by Tony Lee

Nov 18, 2014 11:09 AM PT

On Tuesday, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) said President Barack Obama's forthcoming unilateral action on immigration is not "amnesty" and declared that America would be "selfish" to deny illegal immigrants temporary work permits and amnesty. 

Speaking on the House floor, Jackson Lee, who handed out candy to illegal immigrant juveniles this summer at detention centers, mentioned that Texas has 1.3 illegal immigrants and said she loves "living in a country that is known around the world for its humanitarian generosity." She said the illegal immigrants are working, paying taxes and love their children, some of whom are U.S. citizens or have been granted temporary amnesty. She urged Obama to "do the right thing" by using his "executive power to give humanitarian relief" to illegal immigrants. 

"This is not amnesty. This is prioritization, "she said. "This is saving money. This is keeping families together. This is allowing children to not come home to places where their parents have been thrown from their places of work and taken away from them."

Jackson Lee said she was "excited about the courage of this president" and looking "forward to an American finally understanding the gifts you that you are given."

"Let us not be a selfish nation," she said. "Let us be a generous nation." 

Obama is reportedly considering giving temporary amnesty and work permits to as many as five million illegal immigrants by the end of the year.

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