Senator Marco Rubio supports "Gang of Eight" immigration bill
(Photo: ABC This Week)


Senator Marco Rubio’s support announced on Sunday for the bipartisan immigration bill before the senate guarantees its passage.

As an Hispanic and a key figure in the Tea Party wing of  his party, his support makes passage in the senate inevitable.

Rubio’s full throated statement of support delivered in no fewer than seven interviews in prime time appearances on Sunday ensures that up to 70 senators will support the bill put together by a bipartisan group of eight senators.

50,000 Irish undocumented are among those who will benefit from a new bill that currently allows them to work legally and after ten years apply for a green card.

Democratic chief strategist Senator Chuck Schumer stated on the ABC News program, “This Week,” “after Rubio’s support that  “I see nothing in the way,”...’’and I think you’ll see a major agreement that’s balanced, that’s fair, that will have the widespread support of the American people on Tuesday.”

Rubio made it clear that he saw the bill as dealing with an issue that has hounded his party and that he believes the new bill is tough enough on the undocumented.

"They don't qualify for any federal benefits -- no food stamps, no welfare, no Obamacare," Rubio said on Fox News Sunday. "They will have to stay in that status until at least 10 years elapses ... and then all they get is a chance to apply for a green card."

Rubio said the new bill is much better than the existing situation.

"What we have today is de facto amnesty ... people who are hiring illegal aliens and paying them less than American workers," Rubio said.

"If somehow being in the country illegally is cheaper, easier and quicker than the right way, I wouldn't support that," Rubio said.

"It will be cheaper, faster and easier for people to go back home and wait 10 years than [go through] this process. That's why it's not amnesty."

"The alternative we've created is going to be longer, more expensive and more difficult to navigate," Rubio said.

Here’s the clip from Fox News: