Rubio: Comprehensive Immigration Plan Won't Pass Congress

Senator Marco Rubio said a comprehensive immigration plan won’t be passed by Congress because many lawmakers don’t believe the enforcement provisions would be carried out.

“The only path forward that has any chance of success is to bring illegal immigration under control” first, said Rubio, a Florida Republican. Then Congress would act to “modernize the illegal immigration system,” he said at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast.

Rubio had supported a comprehensive measure passed by the Senate in 2013 that would create a path to citizenship for many of the nation’s estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants. The Republican-controlled House refused to take up the bill.

Rubio also said former Florida Governor Jeb Bush would be “a very credible candidate” for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 and that he has an “extraordinary network of donors.”

Rubio, a Florida Republican, said his own decision on whether to seek the presidency will depend on “where is the best place for me to serve my country.”

On revamping U.S. immigration law, Rubio said he disagreed that failing to pass a comprehensive immigration plan would hurt Republicans with Hispanic voters.

“I have never viewed immigration as a way to win elections,” he said. “It’s important for national security to have an immigration system that works.”

“I’ve always seen the potential pitfalls,” Rubio added.