Sen. Marco Rubio’s upcoming book, “American Dreams,” contains his thoughts on immigration — specifically that he doesn’t think granting amnesty for the nation’s estimated 12 million illegals is the path America should take.
“On the one hand, calls to grant amnesty to twelve million people are unrealistic and quite frankly irresponsible,” Mr. Rubio writes in an excerpt reported by Politico. “On the other hand, not a single opponent of the Senate bill I helped author proposed that we try to round up and deport twelve million human beings.”
Mr. Rubio, one of the talked-about Republican candidates for president in 2016, has a senatorial background that includes at least one public relations misstep on immigration — at least with his party’s conservative base. In 2013, those on the political right roundly criticized Mr. Rubio for bringing forth a bill — and joining the bipartisan “Gang of 8” — that spelled out a pathway of citizenship for illegals, The Washington Post reported.
His upcoming book is being seen by some as a clarifier of his political views on immigration. In it, he spells out a three-step plan that includes bolstering enforcement of those who are in the national illegally, Newsmax reported.
Second, Mr. Rubio suggests changing priorities on immigration, from a “family-based” plan that gives especial favor to reuniting families to a “work-and-skill-based” system that emphasizes the opening of doors to those with technological and other high-skilled backgrounds, Newsmax said.
His third suggestion?
To deal with the 12 million illegals now in America, Politico reported.
His suggestion is to register illegals and deport those who’ve committed serious crimes, and to give “temporary, non-immigrant visas” to others who are deemed qualified to stay in the country — so long as they agree to undergo background checks, pay fines and learn to speak English, Newsmax reported.
Even then, they would have to wait a decade to apply for permanent residency, he wrote, Politico said.
“This three-step plan is not only the best way to reform our immigration system, it is, in my opinion, the only approach that has any chance of success,” he said, the National Journal reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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