Ahead of Thanksgiving, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders further revealed his immigration reform plan.

Sanders -- who has previously issued his support for President Barack Obama's immigration executive actions, pathway to citizenship, closing immigrant family detention centers and execute additional executive action if Congress continues to fail on comprehensive immigration reform -- said he will make immigration a top priority in his administration and put families first, while focusing on common sense reforms that would build the middle class.

"As we gather with our loved ones to give thanks, we should reflect on the fact that not all families will be so lucky," said Sanders in a statement. "Millions of families are torn apart by our broken immigration policies. We cannot forget about the aspiring Americans who continue to live in the shadows."

"As the son of an immigrant, I can tell you that their story -- my story, your story, our story -- is the story of America: the story of hardworking families coming to the United States to create a brighter future for their kids. We have an obligation to enact policies that unite families, not tear them apart," added Sanders.

In expanded details regarding his immigration plan, Sanders reiterated his pledge to "dismantle" private detention centers and the inhumane deportation programs. The Vermont senator said he will offer humane treatment and asylum to domestic violence victims and minors who have fled from Latin America.

Although there is the option to take executive action by himself, Sanders want to push for legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S. However, if Congress fails to act, Sanders pledged he will use, if elected, executive authority to allow undocumented immigrants, who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years, to stay in the U.S. Sanders' campaign said approximately nine million undocumented immigrants would be eligible to stay if he expanded execution action.

"As president, I will fight for comprehensive immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship and is grounded in civil, humane and economic rights," said Sanders. "But let me be clear: I will not stand idly by waiting around for a dysfunctional Congress to act. Instead, during the first 100 days of my administration I will take extensive action to accomplish what Congress has failed to do and to build upon President Obama's executive orders."

Through legislation, Sanders wants to create a whistleblower visa for workers reporting labor violations. He also wants to increase legal counsel access for detained immigrants and additional funds for immigration judges.

Instead of building a wall across the U.S. borders, Sanders proposes high-grade cameras, movement sensors and thermal imaging to better secure the border. He wants to increase resources for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, for better training, oversight and transparency.

Fellow Democratic presidential candidate Martin O'Malley's campaign hit back against Sanders' immigration plan and acknowledged the senator had opposed comprehensive immigration reform in 2007.

"In contrast with Governor O'Malley, Senator Sanders repeated falsehoods that immigrants take American jobs and depress American wages, and Secretary Clinton torpedoed efforts to give drivers licenses to New Americans and repeatedly dehumanized New Americans by calling them 'illegal' immigrants," said O'Malley for President spokeswoman Gabriela Domenzain.

"If we want to move America forward and stay true to our values, we can't resort to the old, nativist, poll-tested politics of the past when it comes to immigration reform and restoring dignity to New Americans," added Domenzain. "Neither Senator Sanders nor Secretary Clinton has shown the backbone or foresight to do what's right on immigration. Governor O'Malley is the only candidate in this race who has a proven track record of results for New Americans, and it's his leadership that they count on to fix our inhumane immigration system once and for all."

O'Malley introduced his immigration plan last July during an immigration roundtable in New York City.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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