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.
But we all know it is their aides who fill these figureheads on highlights of what is in the bill. These senators are just way too busy. Actually reading the bill gets in the way of things.
Rubio still saying the bill is ‘not amnesty’ tells us one thing - he is not fit to lead.
Actually, the E-verify, the sealed borders, et al are already part of Federal Law in one form or fashion.
Rubio naively (I’m hoping its just that) is going back to the same things none of the other legislation assured, although it called for such.
He is also naive in thinking hispanics will vote for Republicans if he engineers this. It didn’t pan out for Reagan in 1986, nor will it now. His heritage is coloring his judgement, at least I hope so.
Finally, If I’m wrong on the above two counts, Rubio is just another effing slick talking politician trying to set him self up and secure, or advance, his position. In that regard, he can go to hell.
Come to think of it, there isn’t anything in his and his compadre’s bill that I want, except for closed borders, and we should have already had that.
In 2016, whoever the Republican Candidate is, it had better not be Rubio, or another with Rubio for VP, because I’m done with him and the Republican Party. I’ll just not vote that box.
Don't tell me, let me guess: Congress has to PASS the bill and Obama has to SIGN it before they can tell us what's in it! TRAITORS ALL!!!!
‘not amnesty’....... I call BS! Do they get to stay here? Yes. Do they eventually (I don’t care how long it takes) get to become citizens? Yes. How is that not amnesty?
Correct, and NEITHER are being enforced! So I guess we have to pass another bill to fix the problem?!
We don't need a single new law in this country. Not for immigration, not for "gun control grabbing, not for anything. Simply enforce the laws already on the books is all that's required.
No more laws!
If they are going to make all decisions, the others should go home and save us the expense of a full Congress!...
and close the barber shop!
President Obama has made immigration reform a top priority for his second term.
And so it becomes Rubio’s.
He's not constitutionally eligible for either office. But since the Constitution is now ignored I guess it won't matter.
If you aren't just lying through your teeth Rubio then you are a naive fool. There 0.1% chance that the bill you guys pass will have that in it. If the bill passed has that in it there is 0.0% it will be enforced.
Rubio is such a fool. He is intentionally misleading everyone without regard to the consequences of adding 30 million poor uneducated people to the welfare roles.
Rubio is is playing the role of an ignorant little patsy for the democrats. In the end, Rubio is no better than Chuck Schumer. Rubio is a Democrat masquerading as a Republican.
SNORT!!! As a citizen trapped in the People's Socialist RepuliK of Illinois that just made me laugh out loud!
Only in Illinois can we have one Governor in-office, one ex-Governor in Federal Prison, and one ex-Governor finally out of jail, but electronically confined to his home for the next two years.
Or as I say: Illinois - Where our Ex-Governors Make Our License Plates!
You speak as if there is a bill. What actually gets to the Senate 5 hours before they vote on it could be completely different.
I’ve been wondering (about) that too.
What did the Republican side of the Gang of Eight get in return? What do they think (1) it is good for the country, and (2) good for their own party?
Think about it.
Who knows. The media, Democrats, and Republicans have ignored a multitude of questionable items regarding the Oresident. Regardless, I don’t support him on this and never will.
MEXICANS, GO HOME!
Senore’ Rubio,
up your pal.
Maybe you think this will enhance your white hut run but you are wrong.
Rubio is not naive. He’s surrounded himself with the biggest amnesty pushers out there, including using SPLC talking points against any opposition.
Behind the scenes of Amnesty..
See, Who is Cesar Conda?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3007546/posts
The only thing “broken” about our current immigration laws is that they are not being enforced.
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