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Sen. Rubio defends emerging immigration deal as ‘not amnesty’
HT-The Hill
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) blitzed all five Sunday shows in his most public pitch yet for the emerging immigration reform bill, arguing that it would control the border, and rejecting conservative criticisms that it provided “amnesty” for illegal immigrants in the country.
“This is not amnesty. Amnesty is the forgiveness of something. Amnesty is anything that says ‘do it illegally, it’ll be cheaper and easier,’” Rubio, a member of the bipartisan ‘Gang of Eight’ senators set to unveil their immigration bill on Tuesday, said on “Fox News Sunday.”
Rubio said the bill would allow illegal immigrants to stay only after meeting a series of requirements, including having a job and paying fines, and would require them to wait years before applying for citizenship.
Rubio also emphasized that immigrants allowed to stay in the U.S. would get that status only provisionally and wouldn’t have access to any government programs, including food stamps, ObamaCare and Medicare.
Rubio, a Tea Party favorite, is a key figure in winning GOP support for the bill. But the contentious politics also place the potential 2016 presidential candidate in a difficult spot, as many conservatives are strongly opposed to offering immigrants who came here illegally a chance to stay in the U.S. and eventually apply for citizenship. The charge is the most potent attack conservatives have lobbed at the bill.
The Florida senator, though, argued that the time was ripe for addressing immigration reform.
“This is an issue that needs to be solved,” he said.
He argued that the current system is “de facto amnesty” and that the bipartisan plan would greatly improve control of the border with Mexico, create an “entry-exit” monitoring system to keep immigrants from overstaying their visas, and an “E-Verify” system to make sure companies aren’t illegally hiring unauthorized immigrants.
Rubio also pushed back against a report from the conservative Heritage Foundation that immigration reform would be costly to the government. A similar report helped derail immigration reform six years ago by undercutting conservative support for the measure.
“Conservatives love dynamic scoring,” he said, arguing the bill’s effects should be taken on the whole and not just looked at from what it would cost the government. “This will be a net positive for our country now and for the future.”
Former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), a close Rubio ally who helped get him elected in 2010, is now head of the organization — and has long been a staunch opponent of giving illegal immigrants any legal status.
The Gang of Eight first unveiled their framework in January and have been negotiating details of the pal since then. The measure will include tougher border security measures, a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, as well as new programs for guest workers and high-skilled immigrants.
A House group is working on its own bipartisan immigration overhaul, and leaders from both parties have said they hope to move on legislation soon. President Obama has made immigration reform a top priority for his second term.
Rubio has taken a cautious approach to talks on the bill in the past, and has urged Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to move slowly, allowing time for senators to build public support for their proposals.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/293743-sen-rubio-defends-emerging-immigration-deal-as-not-amnesty#ixzz2QRuWTVra
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