Mayor: Immigration Restrictions 'Insane'

America is "committing mass suicide" by putting restrictions on immigration, Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday.

He made the remarks after announcing an initiative that is aiming to lure Americans into the fields of math and science, which Mr. Bloomberg termed "the industries of the future."

Moving aside from education, Mr. Bloomberg painted immigration as a short-term way to lure engineers to America, where they could innovate and create new jobs.

"There are people around the world who want to come and create here and add jobs and excitement and innovation, and we're keeping them in Canada and in Europe and Asia and not letting them here," Mr. Bloomberg said.

He termed the restrictive policies "insane."

In the past, Mr. Bloomberg has strongly criticized efforts to crack down on illegal immigration, saying the American economy depends on immigrants to survive.