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Politics or policy driving immigration reform push?

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    Republicans blast leaked 'backup' plan

  • Duration 5:42
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-- -- some new information on the White House immigration plan leaked over the weekend to USA today.

It would put illegals on a path to citizenship beginning after about eight years.

But it would require them to go to the back of the winds -- say behind legal applicants.

The white house -- this -- a backup plan just in case congress hasn't come up with one of its own.

But Republicans like senator Marco Rubio blasts a plan calling it half baked and seriously flawed.

And making it clear that if this winds up on Capitol Hill it will be dead.

On arrival joining us now -- -- Mercedes.

Former media spokeswoman for president George W.

Bush.

And Brent -- national executive director the League of United Latin American Citizens nice heavy both.

With us today let's start a little bit with the -- -- this Mercedes you worked for president before.

With everything that's going on with Capitol Hill right now sequestration in gun controller and -- all of this.

Why would the White House she used she -- it's now.

I gotta tell you leaks are very dangerous things it was a very irresponsible move.

By the White House we know that right now there's a very delicate negotiation.

Between Democrats and Republicans to really -- this immigration bill passed.

But when you have these sort of -- it really complicates the relationship that the administration -- with congress.

I mean this is just something that the president keeps doing what you have to think it's you know from -- -- from a theory standpoint what is his political ploy.

Last week he invited the fourth senate Democrats over to talk about.

The -- reform plan.

Has he invited Republicans know he has so again there's no Republican input on this leaked a draft plan.

And he's really putting this whole entire bill into jeopardy Britain saying with the -- For moments -- do you believe what Mercedes is saying is that this -- is too in part take the power away from this bipartisan group of senators.

Take the power away from people like senator Marco Rubio and score political points by coming out with an another plan if you -- What's your opinion on all of this is this just politics -- play or is there a real policy move here.

Well not at all I think -- there is a strong policy move I mean if you think about the first term of the administration.

Of administration was roundly criticized for not coming forward -- aggressive strategy to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Both Democrats and even folks like Marco Rubio criticized -- some worse is -- well now he's drafting a plan yes it's been -- maybe that was the best idea but.

He's doing what he was told that he didn't do the first term ends now -- getting criticized again I don't think that's fair read hey how I do believe that you -- you do need -- partisan legislation to get to -- both houses of congress and there's no way.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- So brain in your opinion that is what you see here from delete from the White House better than what we hear about the bipartisan plan.

That is slowly coming together and for all intents and purposes is on a path that looks like it could be successful.

I wouldn't say it's necessarily.

Better from the standpoint of getting it being able to pass congress but certainly -- that there are a lot of thinks alike in the bill.

On the but it addresses the main points of the bipartisan bill does creating that pathway for the folks that are there and document to become citizens having a plan for the future flow of immigrants in the united states of course strengthening security which is something that Republicans have definitely wanted to see it's part of the bill.

And reuniting families those are all important points that we've long said are critical to have in this debate.

So let's go ahead and put up some -- that we have in the book points Mercedes as loud as -- as mentioned border security being imparted this this week again the White House says incomplete -- here's.

Some of the parts of the plan.

Allowing illegal immigrants become legal within eight years we have to go through criminal background checks and all of that they have to pay fees.

They have to learn English again part of the White House plan what are your thoughts on us.

Well again I think it's a much more lenient version of what the bipartisan group have come up come up went so far.

And the other point is is that we talked about very much teeth in enforcement triggers which are incredibly important in order for really get to get this legislation passed through.

In both the house and the senate.

So again I really think that you gotta look at these numbers six in ten Republicans.

Supported pathway to citizenship however the president Obama's proposing the plan.

That it drops to 21%.

Among independents if -- president Obama's proposing a -- it drops to 9%.

And I wish Mercedes is a recognition what I role here at all because -- there and present is criticized for.

For being a mom not being involved and let -- -- it's -- it's Johnny come lately he he he could have done this in the first two years of his presidency.

He didn't focus on this issue and now what the president needs to do if he needs -- route from the sidelines and let congress take the lead.

And eyes away were gonna have a successful.

Passage towards this out legislation and immigrants right now that -- to you aware comes from it whether or not -- has bipartisan group in the senate.

-- the White House -- -- what are the stakes about where this policy comes from and what have the city doesn't happen now.

Well it has to be the bipartisan group that's gonna.

Move this forward if we if we hope to have a chance to have a pass in the house it's got to be a very strong bipartisan bill coming out this and -- going toward the house with a lot of momentum.

I think if it doesn't happen this year this this session of congress.

Both parties are gonna suffer I don't think -- an option in this case if if there is -- to get this past I think both parties are gonna suffer nobody can claim a win out of Philly and failing to pass his comprehensive bill.

No on that -- as a finish up -- some say if we don't get anything done by the end by August or so.

The window will be next -- has believe it or not -- fourteen election year in the house.

And then -- on a whole different cycle as everybody knows and elections start happening Mercedes every right I great -- -- your perspective today that you -- for the time.

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