We've been told for months by Democrats and Republicans that before amnesty is granted to more than 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States, the border will be secured. But over the weekend, Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who is part of the Gang of 8, told Univision legalization will be coming before border security.
The legalization is not conditional? If it isn't, then what is? And why have we been told for months the border will be secured before amnesty and citizenship processes are started? If the border being secure in order to prevent another amnesty down the road isn't conditional to amnesty for those already here, then what is the point?Rubio, responding to the concern that legalization might be delayed and therefore be subjected to the policies of future administrations: Let's be clear. Nobody is talking about preventing the legalization. The legalization is going to happen. That means the following will happen: First comes the legalization. Then come the measures to secure the border. And then comes the process of permanent residence. Rubio, responding to the concern that legalization might be delayed and therefore be subjected to the policies of future administrations: Let's be clear. Nobody is talking about preventing the legalization. The legalization is going to happen. That means the following will happen: First comes the legalization. Then come the measures to secure the border. And then comes the process of permanent residence. What we're talking about here is the system of permanent residence. As for the legalization, the enormous majority of my colleagues have accepted that it has to happen and that it has to begin at the same time we begin the measures for [the border]. It is not conditional. The legalization is not conditional.
Without border security first and legalization second, we're looking at 1986 all over again and only setting ourselves up for another illegal immigration battle down the road. Up until now, many conservatives have shown skepticism toward the Gang of 8 legislation for this exact reason. Democrats Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin couldn't be trusted to follow through with their promise for border security first, legalization second and with Rubio's statements over the weekend to Univision, that promise is pretty much dead.
As a reminder:
"Our bill says that no one who is illegally here gets to even apply for a Green Card until the border plan is fully implemented."