But with its call to legalize 11 million undocumented workers, the immediate question was whether the plan would fly within the party.
The New York Times' Jonathan Weisman and Ashley Parker reported that "a closed-door discussion on immigration at the retreat was described by a House member as 'very passionate,' with a 'sizable bloc' opposing the leadership’s position." Also, many Republicans said they didn't trust President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats as negotiating partners on the issue.
The Texas Tribune's Julián Aguilar reported that the leadership's plan does "not include a pathway to citizenship for a majority of the estimated 11.5 undocumented immigrants residing in the country. Instead, the party suggests a path to legal status for those who pay fines and pass background checks." Frank Sharry of the pro-reform group America's Voice told Aguilar that his group planned in the future to call for a citizenship option for most undocumented immigrants.
For his part, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, blasted the House plan during a Bloomberg News breakfast on Thursday, equating it to amnesty. Via Texas Tribune.org
