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.
George Soros could not have bought a more compliant Senator in La Raza Rubio
When asked about his ties to George Soros....Rubio could not hide the puppet strings
The time is drawing very close for the Revolution. I hope Freepers are prepared. It's coming... it's like a distant but growing thunder.
I really oppose reinstituting slavery in America.
These two have gotta' be locked up and punished for this sort of cr*p.
Human bondage is NOT anyones definition of Conservativism or Liberalism.
And where the H3LL is Jeff Flake?
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.
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Sadly, Rubio even fooled Rush. Good grief, Rush touts this guy as a conservative all the time on his show, and how Rubio will only sign on to this “deal” if border security is a 1st priority.
Me thinks Rush is having a hard time understanding who is, and is not conservative anymore. I find myself listening to him less and less. Oh well.
WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!
I don’t think any bill that is 1500 pages can be any good!
The Gang of Eight is basically the Gang of Four, but with twice as many running dogs.
>>> I really oppose reinstituting slavery in America.
Some of us won’t go down without a fight.
THEY’ve been busy pushing towards it, and they will get their wish.
Ok it is not just amnesty ... it is earned amnesty. what difference does it make?
It’s a step toward slavery.
Marco Rubio is my Senator.....and he proved me smart when I voted for Alex Snitker in the election in 2010...instead of the two GOP liberals running
Marco Rubio has always supported Illegal Alien Amnesty... he did so while Speaker of Florida House and he does as Senator.
Real Conservatives do not support La Raza Rubio
He's not nearly as smart as he believes, but his act is successful so will continue.
I know about Cesar....I was only trying to look at the potential bent of Rubio from an open mind. I find nothing about his latest attempts to sell my country’s sovereignty down the river justified.
Do you know how voting rights are handled in his bill?
If Rubio is thinking of running for the White House, he won’t be doing it on the GOP ticket after this.
America is not a color or party... it was a GOD inspired idea set to law. Those laws are being destroyed by traitors like rubio, mccain, wicker, grahamnesty, collins, boehner and many others... and every rat dim alive and dead... their dead still vote!
Sorry... “no more mister nice guy... no more mister clean” Thanks Alice!
LLS
Sorry Rubio.
Right now for the first time, China is exporting more than America.
Let me repeat that. China is now exporting more than America.
What you should do, if you want support, is whatever it takes to bring back American jobs.
Hire Americans. First.
Then once US employment is actually increasing - rather than falling as it has for the last 20 years.
Once US employment is actually increasing.
THEN talk about amnesty.
The last big immigration reform push by Bush, Graham, McCain, Kennedy (notice the R's) would have allowed illegals (after amnesty) would be eligible to apply to bring up to four of their relatives to this country.
Also buried deep in the legal speak was the ability for these new citizens to apply for the “earned income tax credit” if their income fell below the poverty floor as described by the tax code.
Hundreds of millions of our tax dollars in free handouts to the newly made American citizens who broke our laws by entering illegally.
So, fellow wolverines......search the legal jargon down deep in the bill. May just find these lil gems once again.
Just sayin.
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