IMMIGRATION Senator: Deal needs tough terms

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

A bipartisan deal on immigration legislation would need tough enforcement and even stricter penalties for those who came to the United States illegally, a leading Republican at the center of negotiations said Sunday.

Sen. Marco Rubio, who’s among the eight senators writing a plan that’s expected to come out Tuesday, tried to promote and defend the framework for the emerging overhaul that would provide a path toward citizenship for those who came to the country illegally or overstayed their visit.

While the deal does include a long and difficult process for the 11 million individuals in question, Rubio insisted the proposal does not include an “amnesty” provision that fellow conservatives have called a deal-breaker.

“We’re not awarding anybody anything. All we’re doing is giving people the opportunity to eventually earn access to our new, improved and modernized legal immigration system,” said Rubio, a Florida Republican and Cuban-American.

But among some of his fellow Republicans, there are serious doubts.

“I’m not convinced,” said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. “I know Sen. Rubio’s heart is exactly right. And I really respect the work of the ‘Gang of Eight.’ But they have produced legislation ... that will give amnesty now, legalize everyone that’s here effectively today and then there’s a promise of enforcement in the future.”

Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, added: “The pathway to citizenship, right now, before those other elements are in place, is the deal-breaker for me.” He said he could consider supporting the proposals only if the first priority were border security.

Rubio said he would abandon the overhaul effort if enforcement, border security and other elements are softened to his dissatisfaction.

With an eye on a possible White House run in 2016, Rubio has been careful not to appear weak on border security or create political problems among the conservatives who have great sway in picking the GOP’s nominee.