Republican Senators struggle to come up with reasons to slow momentum for immigration reform.

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The term “path to citizenship” was supposed to replace the dreaded word “amnesty” in the immigration reform debate, evoking earned opportunities, personal responsibility, and rugged individualism. But now the new term has become politically loaded, too, especially for conservatives who want to support immigration reform but don’t want blowback from their right. What Rand Paul said today about immigration reform — and what he actually meant — perfectly encapsulate this dynamic.