Immigration Reform 2015: GOP Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz Promotes New Plan

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tx) unveiled his new plan to combat unauthorized immigration on Friday amid sparring with rival GOP candidate for President, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).

Many Republican strategists believe that while Donald Trump and Ben Carson are the current front-runners in the race for the Republican nomination, the battle could end up being between Cruz and Rubio, who are getting a close look from voters because of strong debate performances.

He targeted Rubio as blocking his amendment in the 2013 bipartisan comprehensive immigration plan to require fingerprinting, background checks and extensive scrutiny of people coming into the United States.

To me, Rubio’s attempt to lump himself together with Cruz on immigration reform reminds of what I observed during the 2013 debate over immigration – this guy will argue nearly anything. “Every single amendment”, Cruz said. He notes that what Cruz tried to do to kill the Gang of Eight legislation is similar to what Rubio tried to do to kill the Iran nuclear deal.

The fact is that all illegals have committed at least one crime: entering the country illegally. “There is nothing compassionate about a politician saying I am so compassionate I am willing to give away your jobs”. I understand why he regrets having taken the position he did.

Further, Cruz says he would prevent illegal immigrants from receiving financial benefits and strengthen E-Verify for employers. “The Senate voted on amendments, including conservative ones”. In the past, he has also said that he “celebrates” legal immigration and wants to streamline the process.

Despite being a longtime advocate for legal immigration, the Texas senator proposed adding new restrictions on legal immigration during a campaign event in Florida on Friday. He would also enforce the “public-charge” doctrine, which would force immigrants to certify they are self-sufficient before they are given permission to live in the US “The objective of legal immigration should be to grow the economy, not displace American workers”, he said. “Under no circumstances should legal immigration levels be adjusted upwards so long as work-force participation rates remain below historical levels”.

The 2016 hopeful also called for an end to birthright citizenship in his 11-page plan.

“Hold DHS accountable to the American people”.