'Just because my bill grants total forgiveness and lets illegals gain
American citizenship it's not really amnesty unless I say it's amnesty."
Posted on 04/14/2013 7:36:45 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Sen. Rubio defends emerging immigration deal as ‘not amnesty’ By Cameron Joseph - 04/14/13 09:38 AM ET
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.
“With this kind of crap going on and these kind of people involved with “our” side, we don’t stand a chance.
I am so far beyond frustrated and po’ed I can’t tell you. “
I hear ya, Ron. I don’t know what to do but keep exposing them. Very disheartening!
'Just because my bill grants total forgiveness and lets illegals gain
American citizenship it's not really amnesty unless I say it's amnesty."
Rubio thinks we are all stupid sheeple.
Yeah, it’s very difficult to keep any kind of positive attitude.
Remember the song “Make the World Go Away”?
That’s about where I am these days!
Shut the Hell, up, Marco, you putz.
I hate this guy.
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.
Somewhere right now, there are a bunch of Federal "judges" sitting around in the black robes playing with their "pee pee" pumps and getting themselves ready to rule all of this "unconstitutional" once the 8 gangstas ram this down our throats.. You can take that to the bank.
This massive amnesty, the largest amnesty in history, is huge step toward the de-facto merger of the United States and Mexico/Central America. This merged Amerexico, or whatever, will be the successor state to a dead and buried independent USA.
I just want to say, I love your nick. My father used to say this when upset. Brought back pleasant memories of my father. Thank You!
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.
He said they can't get it for 15 years... 5 years AFTER they become LEGALS...
He did a good job on it today...
Rubio:
Under your plan, who gets legalization papers first:
A. The LEGAL immigration applicant, who has never been to the USA, because he’s waiting in line in Poland or the Philippines for the past 10-25 years for his petition to be called, or:
B. The illegal alien who broke in to the USA 4 years ago?
One also has to wonder that even though we provide them with nice offices and conference rooms in beautiful buildings, some of these "gangs" have to do their negotiating and deal making on luxury yachts with beautiful women present and alcohol flowing and video cameras very likely present. How many of them do you suppose wake up with a hangover the next morning to be shown a video that could influence their voting for the rest of their career. These people just don't conduct themselves like honest, above board, trustworty professionals plain and simple.
It could be the poison pill that kills it. The Dems want a blanket amnesty that allows illegals access to benefits and the ability to vote in elections, and they want it effective ASAP.
Yes, it is.
He is also naive in thinking hispanics will vote for Republicans if he engineers this.
Which is the ONLY reason they're throwing the American tax payers under the bus. They figure we'll just vote for them again anyway, whether we like this amnesty bill or not, because if we don't - "The other guy will win."
They abuse the Republican base all the time. Still, we bend over and give them our vote - and they know it!
Old term: Legal Immigrant
New term: Sucker
Your father had good taste in mild cursing!
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