Rubio pitches immigration overhaul

Senator's support could sway some conservatives

January 28, 2013
The Sun Sentinel

By William E. Gibson, Washington Bureau 6:58 p.m. EST, January 28, 2013

WASHINGTON -- Hoping to launch a major overhaul of the nation's immigration system, Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and seven fellow senators unveiled on Monday a "tough but fair" bipartisan plan to allow millions of illegal immigrants in Florida and elsewhere a chance to get legal and earn their way toward citizenship.
Rubio's mission is to reassure tea party conservatives that these proposals don't amount to a blanket "amnesty," while rallying reluctant Republicans and helping their party gain the trust of Hispanic voters. In a sense, the rising Republican star is working in tandem with President Barack Obama, who flies to Las Vegas today to pitch similar changes in immigration law.
Immigrant advocates in Florida were delighted by the suddenly improved prospects for long-awaited reform, though they remain concerned about the forthcoming details.






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"We've very pleased with the rapid movement toward a bipartisan agreement on reform, and we're looking forward to what the president has to say," said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, an advocacy group in Miami. "There's obviously a clear will to have equal opportunity, but we're concerned about having people in limbo as second-class citizens indefinitely."
The response from those who want to restrict immigration was mixed.
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Some lashed back at the prospect of legalizing 11 million people, including 825,000 in Florida. The Americans for Legal Immigration, a political action committee, called the agreement a conspiracy behind closed doors by a "motley crew of corrupt lawmakers" that would harm workers and taxpayers. The group threatened to protest outside the senators' home-state offices.

Others were encouraged by Rubio's support.
"For the most part, the response has been more positive than expected. The anticipated backlash from the hard right has not materialized," said Tom Tillison, a tea party activist in Orlando.
The framework unveiled on Monday by Rubio and seven colleagues did not include detailed legislation, but a list of goals that will serve as the outline for a bill to be spelled out in March. The other seven are Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., John McCain, R-Ariz., Robert Menendez, D-N.J., Richard Durbin, D-Ill, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo.
Rubio was asked to join the group late last year. The potential candidate for president in 2016 – who was critical last year of some fellow Republicans' rhetoric on immigration – is expected to play a key role within his party.
The senators said their bill would modernize the legal immigration system, bolster border security and workplace enforcement and improve and expand programs that bring in temporary foreign guest-workers. The most controversial goal would allow illegal immigrants to live and work here legally while their cases are pending.
After paying a fine and back taxes and clearing a criminal background check, they could apply for permanent legal status and begin the long process of becoming citizens. But a commission of border-state governors, attorneys general and community leaders would have to certify that the borders were secure before those on a pending status could become legal residents.
"We have to deal with the people who are here now in a way that is responsible but humane, and this does that," Rubio said at a Capitol press conference. "Once you have a green card, you are three or five years away from becoming a citizen."
Rubio has demanded that the proposed system carefully monitor the entry and exit of those with travel visas to prevent foreign arrivals from remaining illegally. Some reports say that people overstaying their visas amount to 40 percent of all illegal immigrants.
"With Rubio's face on it, I think there's a little more legitimacy to the effort and a little more trust in it," Tillison said. "I think he has established the reputation of being someone who is very thorough, looks at all sides of an issue and proceeds carefully. I think that will play out on the immigration issue."
He said the November election, when more than 70 percent of Hispanics voted for Obama, "was a wakeup call for Republicans."
"Hispanics have this perception that they are not welcome in the Republican Party," Tillison said, "and hopefully Rubio can dispel that myth, which is not entirely true."
U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, said the senators' goals are consistent with those of a bipartisan group in the House that is drafting similar legislation.
"The prospect of true immigration reform can only happen with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress," Diaz-Balart said, "and today's news is a step in that direction."

Rubio pitches immigration overhaul - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com