Rubio Outlines Long Process For Getting Citizenship In Immigration Bill

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Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) stressed Sunday that the comprehensive immigration reform bill that is set to be released next week by the Gang of Eight “does not give anything away” when it comes to a path to citizenship.

“You have to pay an application fee and a fine, and you are going to have to stay in that status while you pay taxes and prove that you are not a public charge,” Rubio said in an interview on ABC’s “This Week.” “And you don’t qualify for any federal benefits.  And after some period of time, over 10 years that’s elapsed, the only thing you will get – assuming that the border is secure, that e-verify is in place, that an entry exit system is in place for tracking visas — then the only thing you get is the chance to apply for a green card, like everybody else does.  The only thing you are earning here is an opportunity to apply for temporary status, and ultimately potentially to apply for a green card, the way everybody else does.  And that’s the process that we are outlining.”

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