Posted on 11/17/2013 2:52:55 PM PST by SoConPubbie
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) says he supports a pathway to citizenship for immigrants living in the country illegally as part of an overhaul of the nation's immigration system.
"If people want to come here and work hard and benefit, I don't care whether they come from Mexico or Ireland or Germany or Canada or South Africa or anywhere else," Walker said Tuesday during an interview with the Daily Herald Media Editorial Board of Wisconsin. "I want them here."
Walker was then asked about the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally. The editorial board asked if he could "envision a world where with the right penalties and waiting periods and meet the requirements where those people could get citizenship?"
"Sure," Walker responded. "I mean I think it makes sense."
Walker's comments came roughly a week after the Democratic-controlled Senate passed a bipartisan immigration reform proposal that includes a pathway to citizenship.
The proposal strengthens border security along the U.S.-Mexico border by doubling the length of fencing across the border and also doubling the number of border patrol agents. Walker said he had not fully reviewed the Senate bill and has not taken a position on the legislation.
Walker's comments separate him from some conservative House lawmakers who have said they cannot support the Senate immigration reform bill because it includes a pathway to citizenship.
"Not only do they need to fix things for people already here, or find some way to do it, there's got to be a larger way to fix the system in the first place," Walker said. "Because if it wasn't so cumbersome, if there wasn't such a long wait, if it wasn't so difficult to get in, we wouldn't have the other problems that we have" of immigrants living in the country illegally.
Walker is not the only prominent Wisconsin Republican to support immigration reform. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has also called for his chamber to pass an immigration overhaul. Ryan recently said the Senate bill's enhanced border security measures make the proposal more likely to pass the House.
"I think that, that passing makes this final passage more likely," Ryan said in late June.
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Sorry Walker............NEXT!
Off my short list
/johnny
No wonder he loves Paul Ryan.
Where is the fence to the north Scott?
Who’s paying for the fence to the south Scott?
Shut up and sit down.
Double the border fence.
Double patrols.
Try to figure out a way to handle fines and illegals already here.
Hasn’t read Senate bill.
Yeah, let’s him away.
Well Scott, the very first thing they will do is vote you out of office.
“doubling the length of fencing”
No. A 25 foot high hardened concrete wall, with lots and lots of razor wire and sensors. From the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
Where’s the (patrolled) Fence?
I sent this guy money. I was happy until now. I’m glad I have put off donating again.
Why would he alienate his only supporters!? Sold his soul to GOPe?
If they used all the money the 0bam’s have spent on themselves, we could have had a big ass fence by now.
Why is this asshat even talking about this crap?
Obama wants to trot out immigration reform right now and he cant do it because we have him buried with Obamacare, and here comes Walker...
“Say.. let’s discuss Immigration reform”
Bite me Scott.
“Off my short list”
******
Ditto from here.
Have them build high capacity, minimum-comfort prisons in rural North Dakota. Place them in said prisons.
The point of running a midwest governor is to get white turnout in the midwest not for him to shoot his mouth off about issues he has less experience in.
Why do Luis Guiterrez’s constituents love big government and gun control?
I dont think his union busting is a big plus or minus for the presidential election. It is just an adequate job like Christie has done on some issues. Because Christie is handsome and fat; and Walker is hated on by horrible liberals they become giants.
Id like to see Grassley and King as Senate Leader and Speaker to get the Iowa vote.
If McConnell is gone Sessions or Grassley should be the leader.
Reagan made the same blunder (sigh).
If he hasnt already he needs to walk that statment back or he can forget about my vote. I thought he would be my no. 1 pick.
That should do it, kiss of death for everyone that was posted last time.
"Dear Lord, This has been a tough four to five years. You have taken my favorite actor Patrick Swayze. My favorite musician Michael Jackson. My favorite Blues Singer Amy Winehouse. My favorite actress Elizabeth Taylor. My favorite singer Whitney Houston. And now my favorite author Tom Clancy! I just wanted you to know that my favorite politicians are Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid. Amen." " In church I heard a sweet elderly lady in the pew next to me saying a prayer. It was so innocent and sincere that I just have to share it with you:
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