# Rubio won't back his own immigration bill **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 5, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242 "2013-06-05T21:24:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/281 "2013-06-25T11:56:37Z")
We are in the exact same boat they are. All we have to do is control our southern border. If Canada can do it, why can’t we? Wait, we can, we’re just holding the safety of border residents hostage until we get legalization. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/282 "2013-06-25T12:42:42Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > We are in the exact same boat they are. All we have to do is control our southern border. If Canada can do it, why can’t we? Wait, we can, we’re just holding the safety of border residents hostage until we get legalization. Canada doesn’t apply the same control to its southern border because there are fewer people trying to sneak into Canada from the US. If Mexico got teleported to Canada’s southern border, do you think they’d be able to have the same lack of cross-border unlawful immigration as they do now, using only the border-control resources they currently employ? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/283 "2013-06-25T15:15:12Z")
Of course we’d have to spend more. But is there anything particularly inhumane about their laws and enforcement that would make you object to copying them here? ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/284 "2013-06-25T17:44:06Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > We are in the exact same boat they are. All we have to do is control our southern border. If Canada can do it, why can’t we? Wait, we can, we’re just holding the safety of border residents hostage until we get legalization. Canada doesn’t “control” their southern border. There are long stretches where it’s incredibly easy to sneak across it. It’s just that not many people want to cross it illegally, so they don’t bother to set up a secure border. ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/285 "2013-06-26T21:45:25Z")
And [yet another Republican](http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/news/santorum-says-rubio-support-immigration-bill-hurt-him-203058010.html) exposes the fissures in his party over this issue: > [@](#): > > Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who is quietly laying the groundwork for another presidential run, said Wednesday that Republican presidential hopefuls who support the federal immigration overhaul will struggle to find support among the party’s primary voters in 2016. > \<…\> > “I think that the issue of immigration and respecting the rule of law in this country is a very important thing for Republican voters across the country. The idea that there are Republicans in Washington, D.C., who are going to say, ‘Well, the rule of law isn’t that important, the idea of people coming into this country have done so illegally and we’re going to basically treat them the same as people who came here legally,’ is just not going to go over well in a Republican primary,” Santorum said when asked specifically if Rubio’s support for an immigration overhaul would hurt his chances in 2016. “I think there’s going to be certainly consequences for folks who don’t understand the importance of the respect for the rule of law that Republicans have.” Looks like the latest Tea Party talking points have “respect for the rule of law” as the preferred euphemism for their personal bigotry. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/286 "2013-06-26T21:56:45Z")
Which elides the fact that we have laws and they aren’t obeyed, and are poorly enforced. The immigration reform bill continues these laws which you deem racist. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/287 "2013-06-26T22:27:21Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Which elides the fact that we have laws and they aren’t obeyed, and are poorly enforced. > > The immigration reform bill continues these laws which you deem racist. Projection really looks ugly, and it is clear that you are using a similar “logic” like the [“Anti-racist”](http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Anti-racist_is_a_codeword_for_anti-white) dumb point. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/288 "2013-06-27T00:49:19Z")
Well, as all the smart people know, liberals are the _real_ racists. That’s a true fact, you could look it up. I’d give you a cite, but its almost time for Hannity… ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/289 "2013-06-27T09:10:09Z")
Here’s an absolutely hilarious screed from Think Progress on Rubio’s English proficiency amendment: [http://thinkprogress.org/immigration/2013/06/13/2148601/rubios-english-only-amendment/](http://thinkprogress.org/immigration/2013/06/13/2148601/rubios-english-only-amendment/) ``` Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) announced this week that he would submit a stringent “English-only” amendment to the Gang of Eight’s immigration bill that would require immigrants to be proficient in English and to pass a civics test before they can receive a green card. Rubio’s amendment could prevent 4.84 million undocumented immigrants who do not speak English well from ever getting on a pathway to citizenship. The current immigration bill requires undocumented individuals to enroll in English classes, before they apply for a green card. Rubio’s amendment, however, would enforce such individuals to be proficient in English before they can ever apply. This could create a huge obstacle for immigrants to overcome in order to get on the path to citizenship. ``` What’s funny about it is the assumption that 4.84 million immigrants are too stupid to learn English, plus the apparent ignorance that what Rubio proposes, much like employers having to verify the eligibility of their employees, is already law! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/290 "2013-06-27T15:45:46Z")
So, its an empty gesture having no real purpose but to present Sen Rubio as being “tough”? Clearly this is Obama’s fault! ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/291 "2013-06-27T16:33:12Z")
So is this really just a huge waste of time since it has zero chance of even being brought up to a vote in the house? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/292 "2013-06-28T00:07:11Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > So is this really just a huge waste of time since it has zero chance of even being brought up to a vote in the house? Nope, to me it is useful as more masks will fall down, the reality is that now the very ugly elements that have escaped much scrutiny in the House will have to stand up and be counted as the do-nothings with a slice of in-human that they are. It is an incentive for people like me to become activists to fight for the defeat of them in the next elections locally or to give money to the opponents of the most disgusting house members that this next face of the process will bring. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/293 "2013-06-28T00:36:05Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > So your argument, GIGO, is that the President can ignore any laws he doesn’t like, and that this power is absolute. So what is Congress for, again? > > Or is your issue that only ICE can’t sue, but Congressmen can? > > BTW, Republican Presidents would find this precedent VERY useful. Imagine, they didn’t even have to pretend to enforce environmental laws, they can just say, “All right, no more enforcement!” Yes, the memory and pain are fresh yet. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/294 "2013-06-28T01:53:09Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Nope, to me it is useful as more masks will fall down, the reality is that now the very ugly elements that have escaped much scrutiny in the House will have to stand up and be counted as the do-nothings with a slice of in-human that they are. > > It is an incentive for people like me to become activists to fight for the defeat of them in the next elections locally or to give money to the opponents of the most disgusting house members that this next face of the process will bring. Well, that’s nice and everything but i doesn’t help the 11 million illegals. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/295 "2013-06-28T01:58:41Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > Well, that’s nice and everything but i doesn’t help the 11 million illegals. Only if the House Republicans are complete idiots, of course, if they are, then there is the plan B I’m talking about. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/296 "2013-06-28T03:49:31Z")
and Plan B will fail. Backfire even. Schumer was predicting demonstrations if the bill fails. That would be the best thing to ever happen to the Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/297 "2013-06-28T04:28:17Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > and Plan B will fail. Backfire even. Schumer was predicting demonstrations if the bill fails. That would be the best thing to ever happen to the Republicans. Sure, keep telling you that, like Bender Bending Rodriguez\* could tell us, you “just won’t stop with the social commentary…” As I said, no problem, it makes good copy to show other Hispanics how they should see Republicans. - Si, Bender the robot was made in Mexico. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/298 "2013-06-28T04:34:48Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > and Plan B will fail. Backfire even. Schumer was predicting demonstrations if the bill fails. That would be the best thing to ever happen to the Republicans. Man, you got us, we never should have tried to outsmart guys like you. Right now, they are all cringing in fear of your brilliant strategery. Boy, just as soon as you guys ram that pineapple up your asses, we are totally done for! Woe is us! ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/299 "2013-06-28T05:04:04Z")
Yeah, because illegal immgrants parading through Washington makes voters support the cause. LOL. Please, I’m praying for demonstrations on this subject. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242/300 "2013-06-28T05:10:33Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Yeah, because illegal immgrants parading through Washington makes voters support the cause. LOL. > > Please, I’m praying for demonstrations on this subject. And here is for all evidence that you are only blissfully ignoring that I’m not an illegal, nor are the majority of the Hispanics that will protest the Republicans in the House. And that there will be a lot of support also from non-Hispanic democrats and moderate Republicans. Please, I’m not praying, we \*\*know \*\*that you will come with more demonstrations of racist and crackpot cites, and support from dubious sources to continue with your “notes of wisdom” on this subject. So the more the merrier, I have a few relatives to advise. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-wont-back-his-own-immigration-bill/660242.md?page=16)