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| Marco Rubio 'very optimistic' on US immigration reform ahead of bill | Marco Rubio 'very optimistic' on US immigration reform ahead of bill |
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| Marco Rubio, one of the perceived favourites for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, threw his weight fully behind immigration reform on Sunday, two days before a draft bill is due to be published. | Marco Rubio, one of the perceived favourites for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, threw his weight fully behind immigration reform on Sunday, two days before a draft bill is due to be published. |
| The support of Florida senator increases the chance of immigration reform finally making it into legislation. "I'm very optimistic about it," Rubio said, on a morning blitz of the Sunday talk shows. | The support of Florida senator increases the chance of immigration reform finally making it into legislation. "I'm very optimistic about it," Rubio said, on a morning blitz of the Sunday talk shows. |
| Rubio is part of the so-called Gang of Eight that drafted the bill. He appeared to cool on reform over the Easter break. His Republican colleague John McCain, also part of the Gang of Eight, chided him last weekend for his reticence. | Rubio is part of the so-called Gang of Eight that drafted the bill. He appeared to cool on reform over the Easter break. His Republican colleague John McCain, also part of the Gang of Eight, chided him last weekend for his reticence. |
| Rubio confirmed the broad outlines of the bill, which he said will propose the estimated 11 million undocumented workers in America be given "temporary status". During this period, they will have to pay an application fee and fine, show they are in employment and pay taxes. They will not be eligible for benefits. Only after ten years or more would they be able to apply for a green card. | Rubio confirmed the broad outlines of the bill, which he said will propose the estimated 11 million undocumented workers in America be given "temporary status". During this period, they will have to pay an application fee and fine, show they are in employment and pay taxes. They will not be eligible for benefits. Only after ten years or more would they be able to apply for a green card. |
| CNN reported a Senate aide on Saturday saying the cut-off would be December 2011, meaning undocumented workers who arrived after that date would not be able to apply. | CNN reported a Senate aide on Saturday saying the cut-off would be December 2011, meaning undocumented workers who arrived after that date would not be able to apply. |
| Another member of the Gang of Eight, the Democratic senator Chuck Schumer, said agreement had been reached on Friday on the last remaining problem, agricultural workers. "I expect we will – the eight of us – will introduce a bill on Tuesday," he said. | Another member of the Gang of Eight, the Democratic senator Chuck Schumer, said agreement had been reached on Friday on the last remaining problem, agricultural workers. "I expect we will – the eight of us – will introduce a bill on Tuesday," he said. |
| Although the Republicans need to win over Latinos to boost election chances, there is strong resistance in conservative circles who see the reform as a form of amnesty, or a reward for breaking the law. | Although the Republicans need to win over Latinos to boost election chances, there is strong resistance in conservative circles who see the reform as a form of amnesty, or a reward for breaking the law. |
| "This is not amnesty. Amnesty is the forgiveness of something. Amnesty is anything that says 'do it illegally, it'll be cheaper and easier,'" Rubio told Fox News Sunday. He argued that it would be cheaper for undocumented workers to go back to their own countries and apply. | "This is not amnesty. Amnesty is the forgiveness of something. Amnesty is anything that says 'do it illegally, it'll be cheaper and easier,'" Rubio told Fox News Sunday. He argued that it would be cheaper for undocumented workers to go back to their own countries and apply. |
| Some conservatives, after hearing Rubio, remained unconvinced. Republican senator Jeff Sessions said: "They have produced legislation, it appears … that will give amnesty now, legalise everyone that's here effectively today and then there's a promise of enforcement in the future." | Some conservatives, after hearing Rubio, remained unconvinced. Republican senator Jeff Sessions said: "They have produced legislation, it appears … that will give amnesty now, legalise everyone that's here effectively today and then there's a promise of enforcement in the future." |
| Sessions also questioned the impact on jobs and wages, with a danger of lowering wages. | Sessions also questioned the impact on jobs and wages, with a danger of lowering wages. |
| During the round on the television studios, Rubio disclosed the basic shape of the draft bill, which is expected to run to about 1,500 pages. After publication, there will be a one-day hearing on Wednesday into immigration reform. | During the round on the television studios, Rubio disclosed the basic shape of the draft bill, which is expected to run to about 1,500 pages. After publication, there will be a one-day hearing on Wednesday into immigration reform. |
| "You have to pay an application fee and a fine, and you are going to have to stay in that status while you pay taxes and prove that you are not a public charge. And you don't qualify for any federal benefits. And after some period of time, over 10 years that's elapsed, the only thing you will get – assuming that the border is secure, that e-verify (a check on employers taking on undocumented workers) is in place, that an entry exit system is in place for tracking visas, then the only thing you get is the chance to apply for a green card, like everybody else does," Rubio said. | "You have to pay an application fee and a fine, and you are going to have to stay in that status while you pay taxes and prove that you are not a public charge. And you don't qualify for any federal benefits. And after some period of time, over 10 years that's elapsed, the only thing you will get – assuming that the border is secure, that e-verify (a check on employers taking on undocumented workers) is in place, that an entry exit system is in place for tracking visas, then the only thing you get is the chance to apply for a green card, like everybody else does," Rubio said. |
| "The only thing you are earning here is an opportunity to apply for temporary status, and ultimately potentially to apply for a green card, the way everybody else does. And that's the process that we are outlining." | "The only thing you are earning here is an opportunity to apply for temporary status, and ultimately potentially to apply for a green card, the way everybody else does. And that's the process that we are outlining." |
| Tens of thousands took part in demonstrations in Washington DC and elsewhere across the country on Saturday in support of reform. | Tens of thousands took part in demonstrations in Washington DC and elsewhere across the country on Saturday in support of reform. |
| Rubio refused to say whether he is planning to run for the White House. He insisted he had not even considered it. As a Latino, a conservative, popular with the Tea Party, and an easy, confident speaker, he is capable of mounting a serious challenge for the Republican nomination. | Rubio refused to say whether he is planning to run for the White House. He insisted he had not even considered it. As a Latino, a conservative, popular with the Tea Party, and an easy, confident speaker, he is capable of mounting a serious challenge for the Republican nomination. |
| Asked on CNN if his support for immigration reform risked alienating some conservatives, he said: "You know, I haven't even thought about it in that way." His comment was greeted with incredulity by the interviewer. | Asked on CNN if his support for immigration reform risked alienating some conservatives, he said: "You know, I haven't even thought about it in that way." His comment was greeted with incredulity by the interviewer. |
| Rubio, in reply, said: "I really haven't. I have a job. My belief has always been that if I do my job and I do my job well, I'll have options and opportunities in the future to do things, whether it's run for re-election, run for something else or give someone else a chance at public service. And that's how I view this issue." | Rubio, in reply, said: "I really haven't. I have a job. My belief has always been that if I do my job and I do my job well, I'll have options and opportunities in the future to do things, whether it's run for re-election, run for something else or give someone else a chance at public service. And that's how I view this issue." |
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