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McCain on Immigration: "We cannot have 11 million people living in the shadows" (With CBS News Video)Related Content
Senator McCain speaking to the press about immigration reform, Jan. 28, 2013. Photo courtesy of C-SPAN. (CBS News) Arizona Sen. John McCain was one of the bipartisan group of eight senators who unveiled a sweeping proposal to overhaul U.S. immigration laws on Monday. The plan would grant temporary legal status to most of the 11 million illegal immigrants if they pass a criminal background check, pay a fine in back taxes, and learn English. The plan also calls for increased border security and a tougher visa process, and McCain has said that for him, securing the borders is the first priority. A newly released CBS News poll shows 51 percent of Americans think illegal immigrants now working in the U.S. should be able to stay and apply for citizenship. The White House endorsed the plan on Monday, hoping to speed its passage. McCain deflected criticism coming from within the Republican party that the plan amounts to amnesty for illegal immigrants, and Tuesday on "CBS This Morning," he urged his fellow lawmakers to take a closer look at the proposed legislation. "I hope they do look closely because border enforcement and border security is a prerequisite and obviously that makes sense since we don't want to have a repeat again some years from now of another group coming to this country illegally... that's a precondition, we can do it... we have the capabilities." "People who have not committed a crime here ... will have a legal status but they will not be able to have citizenship before they line up behind those who came here legally to get a green card on a path to citizenship," McCain said, insisting the plan does not offer amnesty to illegal immigrants. "I hope that as more Americans see this proposal, that they will understand that we cannot have, forever, 11 million people living in the shadows in this country," he added. President Obama is planning to announce Tuesday that same-sex couples will be part of the immigration reform proposals, according to Buzzfeed. Under the framework outlined by Obama -- which differs slightly from the Senate framework released Monday -- same-sex bi-national couples, those with one American and one foreign partner, will be included in the proposed legislation. Under current law, bi-national same-sex couples are not eligible for the green cards that opposite-sex couples are entitled to receive. McCain dismissed the White House addition, saying "It's something that, frankly, is not of paramount importance at this time." He allowed, "We'll have to look at it... to gauge how the majority of Congress feels. ...We need to get broad consensus on our proposal to start with." And while McCain has previously said that the path to citizenship should be contingent upon securing the border with Mexico first, he insists the process of securing the border will not slow progress toward legislation. The border state Senator will convene a "commission made up of the most knowledgeable people including border state governors," and explained, "the final decision will be made by the secretary of homeland security." And while others within the GOP -- including former Florida Governor Jeb Bush -- take issue with what he called a "short-sighted" push to secure the border, McCain insisted, "All I can say is that the people who live in the Southern part of my state deserve the same security you have... it's a humanitarian issue."
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I thought... said on Friday, Feb 1 at 3:36 PM
we were a nation of immigrants...and the Natives were here first so be careful of the language used in reference to immigrants now...
112698341Beatrix said on Tuesday, Jan 29 at 7:42 PM
There are thousdands people who are waiting for an interview for 10 and 15 years to became American Citizens, and suddenly you want to put those illegal immigrants in first line stumping the rights of the ones who did the right procces to enter to USA?shame of you congresss, SHAME OF YOU OBAMA.!!! Illegal immigrants should have a temporary permit that they should to renew over and over but not right to became Americans ebecause they since the begining commited a felony of traspasisnf the countrywithout permit THEY ARE INVASORS!!!and they must be treated as a second classs peolple because they do not respect the LAW OF USA!!!
112488802Bob said on Tuesday, Jan 29 at 6:44 PM
"People who have not committed a crime here ... will have a legal status Hmmm.......HELLOW IDIOTS!!!!! They have all committed a crime DUH!!! They are here illegally and have committed a crime soooooo...........this means they all must go!!!!!!
112486021TedtheBear said on Tuesday, Jan 29 at 5:04 PM
Didn't we have this amnesty thing back in the 1980s. One of Ronald Reagan's least successful policies? Did that solved the problem? No, it only encourage more. You can't solved the problem of illegals by amnesty because its an vicious circle. Solve the illegal problem, then think on amnesty. Put the horse in front of the cart policy usually works, eh?
112481092Lisa said on Tuesday, Jan 29 at 12:38 PM
To Live in France, #1 You have to PROVE you have money to support yourself #2 you have to PROVE that you have a job #3 You have to PROVE your not a crimminal #4 You have to PROVE you have aplace to live #5 You have to PROVE you have paid for your own insurance. but in the US, you have to have valid ID. TIME TO RAISE THE STANDARDS IN THE US. Get rid of the immigrant.s Give the US back to it's citizens.
112464081APAK said on Tuesday, Jan 29 at 12:22 PM
If you know how many are here, you know where they are. Get off your lazy over paid butts & get rid of them. Ship them back where they came from. They want to be here, then they can do it LEGALLY. Stop the welfare, free medical & all of the other freebies & they would pack up & leave on their own. So DO IT!
112462961same o same o said on Tuesday, Jan 29 at 11:34 AM
really? well then we can't have that HUGE account holder in Alaska that is from Russia hu? May be Russia will just take back Alaska...Dimtri said something about adoptions specifically on CNN... Talk about illegal in the USA...what is new John?
112459631lol said on Tuesday, Jan 29 at 10:07 AM
yeah sounds like that scenario makes him nervous... or should I say both...yeah and why did he freak out on Rice...that is really weird...something is afoot! Can't someone put him out to pasture already? lol...
112451781hey mccain said on Tuesday, Jan 29 at 10:01 AM
hows that fallout performance going? so rice told the truth and you wigged out...obvious...when the INTERPOL gets done crawling up every hole you got? It will make your days of POW a vacation...grin...
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