GOP group calls for legalizing illegal immigrants

November 10th, 2011, 4:14 pm
by Martin Wisckol, Politics reporter

The Lincoln Club of Orange County broke with much of the Republican establishment today in announcing an immigration-reform proposal that would provide a path to legal residency for illegal immigrants.

Most of the Republican presidential field and many congressional Republicans have said the border must be better secured before addressing those now in the country illegally. Many grassroots Republican activists denounce any talk of legalizing illegal immigrants.

But with the Latino vote growing and many Latinos turned off by the GOP’s hardline on illegal immigration, the Lincoln Club wants to build a political bridge.

“Our hope is that this provides a starting point for Republicans and Latinos to find common ground on immigration solutions that respect the rule of law, secure our borders, and afford future immigrants and those who are already here a fair pathway to legal residency,â€