Posted on 04/19/2015 11:37:22 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said in an interview broadcast Sunday that a step-by-step, long-term approach is the only option for immigration reform.
"I know, 'cause I tried," Rubio added.
Rubio outlined in the CBS interview the steps he would take for reform, stressing it would start with an E-Verify bill to track entrance and exit of migrants to improve border security, followed by modernizing the legal immigration system to make it "less family based" and "more merit-based."
After a decade, the Cuban-American senator said, he would require immigrants pass a background check, learn English, pay taxes and pay a fine, as well as get a work permit.
"And after a substantial period of time in that status – assuming they haven't violated any of the conditions of that status – they would be allowed to apply for legal residency. Just like anybody else would," he said.
Finally, after legal residency had been maintained for "a number of years," immigrants could apply for citizenship, Rubio said.
"It's a long process. It's a reasonable process. It's a fair process. But it has to happen in that order, and it begins with serious enforcement measures," he added.
Rubio, who caught flak from conservatives for supporting a comprehensive immigration reform bill in 2013, has since advocated a piecemeal approach for the upwards of 12 million immigrants who currently reside in the United States illegally.
Other prospective Republican presidential candidates such as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Rubio's mentor, and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry have caught attention for supporting in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, while Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker recently changed his position, saying he didn't support "amnesty."
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) ripped Rubio on another Sunday morning program for backing off the overhaul when presented with his campaign announcement presenting himself as a new type of leader.
"He took a principled, courageous stand on immigration reform and we passed a comprehensive bill in the Senate, and then the minute his party's base started chewing on him about it – the minute Rush Limbaugh criticized him – he folded like a cheap shotgun," McCaskill said on ABC's "This Week."
"That's old politics. That's not what we need right now. That is the stalest trick in the book. That is shirking on your principles because of the political necessities of your party," McCaskill said.
In the same spirit as Claire's nonsensical statement, I would like to say that McCaskill folds like a cheap abortion.
Rubio is opposed to a Fence/Wall.
Rubio is opposed to the deportation of criminals.
Rubio supports the destruction of the Republic.
The FIRST candidate to be on the opposite side of these four, crucial issues will be elected POTUS.
Marco you thought you could speak in Spanish to the illegals and the money men over the heads of American voters...you got caught...no putting this back in the bottle. Amnesty Rubio your political career is going to end after 2016.
Enforcement of the law means the illegal aliens leave or are deported.
Rubio lied to get elected, lied about his scheming with Schumer against the citizens. He’s lying now.
NO CHEAP LABOR IMPORTERS!
Marco laments that amnesty just isn’t possible at the moment.
I stand with Ted
Wish he would bugger off and find another country to betray.
No Quiero Amnesty Boy.
Diego, I just don't understand this Marco Rubio. He says one thing in Spanish and another thing in English.
And now the gusano is talking about maricons marrying one another. Caraho!
LOL!
We could use a Zorro instead of the Zero we have.
;-)
Step 1 Close the border.
Step 2 Close the border.
Step 3 Close the border.
Step 4 Deny any Gov’t assistance except emergency medical.
Step 5 Sever penalties for employers of illegals.
Step 6 Deport any that have already not self deported.
Step 7 Close the borders.
Step 8 Close the borders.
Step 9 Close the borders.
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