New York Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D) and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (R), co-authors of a stalled bipartisan comprehensive immigration overhaul that includes a
“path to citizenship” for the country’s estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants, said yesterday Tuesday’s election results have created a new impetus for reforms, reports The Washington Times.
Schumer said on “Meet the Press” the “path to citizenship” — denounced by foes of illegal immigration as “amnesty” — would require of immigrants that “you have to learn English, you have to go to the back of the line, you got to have a job and you can’t commit crimes.”
Graham, appearing on “Face the Nation,” said the falling support for Republicans among Hispanic voters is a trend the party has to address.
“It’s one thing to shoot yourself in the foot, just don’t reload the gun,” he said. “[Republican] have no one to blame but themselves when it comes to losing Hispanics and we can get them back with some effort on our part.”
The South Carolina Republican acknowledged that the Schumer-Graham plan includes a pathway to citizenship, but only after the Southwest border is secured, which Arizona Governor Jan Brewer says is top priority.
