Here is video of President Obama this afternoon in Las Vegas calling for “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” now – “The time has come. . . Now is the time,” he said.
Obama Calls for “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” in Las Vegas Speech: “The Time has Come. . . Now is the Time” – Video 1/29/13
Here is audio of Sen. Marco Rubio being interviewed today on the Rush Limbaugh radio show. Rush talked to Rubio about the new “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” Plan Rubio has signed onto with seven other Senators, including John McCain, Chuck Schumer, Lindsey Graham, Dick Durbin, and Bob Menendez. Rubio explained that the plan to eventually allow a path to citizenship for those already here illegally hinges on the enforcement aspects of the plan – securing the border and tracking those who come into the country on tourist or short-stay visas to make sure they also leave the country at the required time. Rubio said he will not support any bill that does not have those enforcement mechanisms built in.
Rush praised Rubio for trying to tackle such a tough issue, but it was clear that Rush is very skeptical that President Obama or the Democrats in Congress can be trusted to actually do what they say.
Sen. Marco Rubio Explains His Support for “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” to a Skeptical Rush Limbaugh – Audio 1/29/13
Here is video of Sen. Marco Rubio talking with Lou Dobbs last night about his plan for “Comprehensive Immigration Reform,” specifically answering a question about fellow-GOP Sen. Ted Cruz’s reservations about the “path to citizenship” part of the plan. Rubio explained that he in no way wants to disadvantage people who have obeyed the law. The plan will not allow those here illegally to “leap-frog” those already “in line” for citizenship. Rubio said it will only give “legal status” to those here illegally, allowing them to work and if they meet all requirements over a lengthy period of time, will allow them to go to the back of the line and apply like they should have done to begin with. Rubio stressed that enforcement mechanisms and securing the border are key components of the plan that must be met.
Sen. Marco Rubio Responds to Sen. Ted Cruz Criticism of “Proposed Path to Citizenship” in Immigration Reform Plan – Video 1/28/13
Here is video of Sen. Jeff Sessions yesterday on the Senate Floor reacting to the “Comprehensive Immigration Plan” put out by the “Gang of 8″ Senators. Sessions agreed that the U.S. Immigration system needs to be fixed, but he is skeptical about the plan being brought forward because the border needs to be secured first. Sessions also pointed to President Obama’s repeated moves to undermine the ability of law enforcement to enforce current laws related to illegal immigration.
Sen. Jeff Sessions Skeptical of New “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” Plan – Video 1/28/13
Here is Sen. Marco Rubio standing with Senators John McCain, Chuck Schumer, Dick Durbin and Bob Menendez in support of their bi-partisan “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” plan. Rubio explained his support for the plan that would provide a “pathway to citizenship” for the millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States. He explained that would come only after the Border is secured, and after those who have applied to come legally have been processed.
Sen. Marco Rubio Stands with John McCain, Chuck Schumer, Dick Durbin, Bob Menendez and Explains His Support for “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” Plan – Video 1/28/13
Here is audio from Herman Cain’s Radio Show today, where he said he likes the “Gang of 8″ bi-partisan, Marco Rubio-led Comprehensive Immigration Reform plan that is in the works right now. Cain said “it is not amnesty”:
“It is a way to allow people that are here to work here temporarily until they get in line and go through the process that’s been around since dirt. . . I consider that Marco Rubio got it right.”
Herman Cain Endorses Rubio, Bi-Partisan Senate Immigration Plan: “It is Not Amnesty. . . Rubio Got it Right” – Audio 1/28/13
Today on ABC News’ “This Week,” Sen. John McCain talked about the bi-partisan push underway on Immigration Reform. McCain said he was pleased with a “new appreciation” on the GOP side of the aisle that “Comprehensive Reform” must take place. McCain said a “Path to Citizenship” has to be a part of the reform. McCain flatly said what they will bring forward is “not that much different” than what they tried to pass in 2007 with President George W. Bush.
Sen. John McCain on New Bi-Partisan Immigration Reform Push: “It’s Not that Much Different than what We Tried to Do in 2007. . . ” – Video 1/27/13
In a new interview with Politico, Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul indicates he is going to seek to take a leadership role in finding a solution to the Immigration problem facing the nation. Paul appears ready to offer a compromise that would allow those here illegally to stay and have a pathway to citizenship in exchange for not accepting “any new legal immigrants while we’re assimilating the ones who are here.” Paul also says he wants to work with Democrats to reduce the penalties for possession and use of marijuana:
POLITICO: . . . . Paul plans to inject himself into the middle of the GOP’s emotional immigration debate in the wake of Romney losing swing states with heavy Latino populations like Florida, Colorado and Nevada. Paul is working on a novel plan that he says would “assimilate” many of the 12 million illegal immigrants currently in the country. Those individuals, he said, could apply for legal status, but immigration would then be clamped down in the interim. He also says his plan would toughen security at the border.
“I want to show what conservatives would or can accept,” he said in describing his plan. “If we assimilate those who are here, however they got here — don’t make it an easy path for citizenship. There would be an eventual path, but we don’t make anybody tomorrow a citizen who came here illegally. But if they’re willing to work, willing to pay taxes, I think we need to normalize those who are here.”
Paul said the “trade-off” would be “not to accept any new legal immigrants while we’re assimilating the ones who are here.” Asked if he is concerned about the ripple effect that could cause around the world, Paul said the details over which countries would be affected are still in the works.
But it’s clear Paul wants to have a voice in the roiling debate, even as other prospective 2016 GOP players, such as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, plan to assert their views when Congress takes up immigration reform next year.
“I think I might have the ability to get out in front of this issue,” Paul said when asked if he believed conservatives would cry “amnesty” over such a plan. “I think I might have the ability because nobody really questions — at least not so far — whether I’m conservative enough.”
This week, Paul also plans to re-engage with Leahy and others about his stance on marijuana, saying it makes little sense to have tough laws against possession that could destroy a young person’s life.
After Colorado and Washington state each approved recreational use of marijuana in ballot initiatives last week, Paul said it “wouldn’t hurt” for his party to take a softer stand on the issue, saying it would show that the GOP is a “little bit rational” and “reasonable” if penalties for pot possession were weakened.
“I don’t think we should put people in jail for mandatory sentences of nonviolent drug crimes, particularly 20-year sentences,” Paul said. “I’d just hate to see somebody’s kid get put in jail for 20 years for making a mistake.” . . . Read More
Report: GOP Sen. Rand Paul Working on Proposal to “Assimilate” Illegals in the U.S. in Exchange for Not Accepting “Any New Legal Immigrants while Assimilating the Ones who are Here” – 11/13/12
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Here is video of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on “Morning Joe” today where he talked about the importance of the Republican Party dealing with the issue of immigration. Gingrich reflected on being attacked during the GOP Nomination battle for speaking up in favor making a way for illegals who have been in the United States for a long time to be able to stay. He said he remembers thinking, as he was being attacked for his position, “How is that going to look in a 30-second ad this Fall?” Gingrich pointed out the GOP has lost the Asian-American vote over the last 12 years, as well as most Latino votes, largely because of immigration.
Gingrich also talked about his new book, “Victory at Yorktown.”
On “Morning Joe,” Newt Gingrich Urges GOP to Help Resolve Immigration Reform Issue – Video 11/13/12
On his radio program today, conservative Talk Radio Host Sean Hannity said he now favors dealing with the Immigration issue with an agreement that would “secure the border” and then “provide a pathway to citizenship” for those now in the country illegally:
POLITICO:
Sean Hannity said Thursday he has “evolved” on immigration and now supports a “pathway to citizenship.”
Hannity told his radio listeners Thursday afternoon that the United States needs to “get rid of the immigration issue altogether.”
“It’s simple to me to fix it,” Hannity said. “I think you control the border first. You create a pathway for those people that are here — you don’t say you’ve got to go home. And that is a position that I’ve evolved on. Because, you know what, it’s got to be resolved. The majority of people here, if some people have criminal records you can send them home, but if people are here, law-abiding, participating for years, their kids are born here, you know, first secure the border, pathway to citizenship, done.” . . . . Read More
Sean Hannity helped lead the charge against former President George W. Bush’s attempt to pass “Comprehensive Immigration Reform.”
