Impact of immigration reform efforts on future elections

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-- right now millions of illegal immigrants are hoping this will be the year when Washington over holes immigration system providing a pathway to citizenship.

But the road to that pathway leads through Washington said this week we received two proposals.

One a bipartisan plan from a group of senators the other competing vision put forward by President Obama.

I don't want to turn this into a partisan thing to let me just say this if this if this endeavor becomes a bidding war.

To see who can come up with the easiest quickest and cheapest path way to green -- possible.

This thing is not gonna go well folks.

We have now a very common sense and reasonable set of principles and I hope the president will say today is that he hopes that that process succeeds.

But if his intentions are to trigger a bidding war to see who can come up with the easiest process.

This is not a good start.

We have to deal with the eleven million individuals were here illegal.

-- we all agree that these men and women should have to earn their way to citizenship.

But for comprehensive immigration reform -- work.

It must be clear from the outset that there is a pathway to citizenship.

Joining us now Fox News political analyst Juan Williams and radio talk show host Mary -- -- great to see both of you thank you for being here today thank you -- -- be with you want let me ask you -- there are cynics who say that this immigration reform push really isn't about fixing a challenging problem and our nation that really at the core.

It's about securing future Hispanic votes for the Democratic Party how do you respond to this.

Well that's part of it I think that clearly President Obama won a huge percentage I think it's close to 70% of the Latino vote if you throw in the Asian vote also.

Now the fastest growing immigrant community and our country you understand how overwhelming the politics are for the Republican Party but.

Also that the Democrats want to cement that advantage into place for Republicans I think they want to get past talk electrified fences.

Self deportation.

Denial of the DREAM Act to young people I think they want to get past that and start to appeal.

To some of the very conservative principles that are widespread in the immigrant community widespread not to -- nor ships family values strong.

Religious beliefs that they feel -- is the basis for a group of people who should be Republican voters.

-- -- there -- some say in the conservative groups there that OK let's get some of these reforms pushed through.

On different condition on the proviso that the people who do receive citizenship ultimately.

Do not get the chance to vote for say ten years or so as a penalty.

-- coming to this country illegally when that.

You know have any traction in congress.

I I don't know if that would have traction in congress they do think that this is almost a no win for Republicans.

Once again.

Because if they do hold their ground and they do say.

That real will do this but it has to be contingent.

First.

On securing the borders.

First on actually enforcing the laws that we were supposed to be enforcing all along.

If they make -- contingent on that Obama and the Democrats are going to say that the Republicans are dragging their feet they're being obstructionists they don't want to give these people the American dream.

But if they don't do with the -- and repeat history Reagan didn't Reagan believed to the left.

Back in 86 and said okay we'll do this and then we're gonna fix -- in exchange for this gonna fix the borders.

Were enforced the laws on the books and we all know what happened we are back where we work in 1986 it didn't solve the problem because we didn't stop the flow of illegal immigration.

So I do think it's important.

To secure those borders first to put regulations in place and in force them.

To make sure that we don't wind up with a whole another generation of people who come here illegally and let me just hand them citizenship again.

Amber and very.

-- just are just gonna state of Mary but Mary so much has been done to in fact.

Beef up the border security we now have electronic surveillance we have more troops on the border than it ever went back we see now that there's that -- eight.

Trend of people leaving the country not coming in.

And I just think you answered radio talk show host you know it has got have got to give a chance to people who say.

We do have better border security and that's the basis now we're going forward.

What I wanna let me give you wonder if you think though people across the board would feel more comfortable if they at least in new.

That efforts are being made to strengthen border security on top and what we have right now.

And then allow these reforms to go through knowing that.

No war will be allowed to come -- and we wouldn't we're working right now with those who were right here in the country and you know -- did basically very generous.

On that issue I think.

That's pretty -- -- and I think people are very conscious of the idea that 40% of the illegal immigrants in the country have come through the visa process and just overstayed their -- That's a different perspective on enforcement -- simply saying.

Taller walls more secure I thought -- get this -- Are we just doing this to please people who think that there's a security problem when in fact the numbers indicate the security problem has been dealt with largely.

Mary you don't agree with that I assume no I don't I went to the bank a year ago one I was standing in the bank on a Friday trying to deposit money into my -- and they asked me Friday.

In the meantime there were three gentlemen standing next to me who didn't have ID.

And didn't speak English so they weren't sent to a special teller who okayed the transaction in -- we're -- -- without ID.

Until we fix that problem we make it too easy to live in this country illegally.

And you're also assuming that people are going to want to jump through those hoops to gain citizenship it is very easy.

To live here and not speak English and not be a citizen and still have a wonderful life and still -- your children education.

And still get health care or you're assuming that there are going to want to jump through those -- that they're going to want to pay taxes that's a big assumption.

We -- well that's -- -- way to citizenship I got my citizenship maybe they want to continue living illegally and not paying taxes and enjoying all the benefits ultimately though -- do you think -- -- -- -- It's going to be a big showdown between -- president and congress over this security issue.

I could be but I don't think that either side wants it is slow down this process I think we're on -- fast track goma I think that both Republicans and Democrats the political.

Advantage to getting a deal done and want it done I think that's why senator rubio.

Has been able to persuade so many people on the right and some of them -- the Tea Party favorite.

That this is the time to get it done.

And I think from the president's perspective it's -- to his legacy to his second term agenda.

And really quickly Mary -- on the on the other side of this though from the GOP if they do get a deal done this will hopefully open the door.

For more Hispanics perhaps to take a second look at the GOP absolutely is but what bothers me is as once said -- a fast track -- community tell me how much is is gonna cost.

How much more we can it be getting to Social Security Medicare unemployment food stamps disability and so want.

We're gonna -- this really could -- with health care and three years from now we're gonna be scratching our heads wondering why we need more money.

All right Mary mom thank you so much for joining us there in -- really appreciate it thank you walk over.

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Impact of immigration reform efforts on future elections

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