Senator Lindsey Graham spoke at length on the CBS program “Face the Nation” about the broken immigration system, how it has affected the Republican Party at the voting booth, and how he is determined to pass an immigration bill.
Graham admitted the Republican Party’s “tone and rhetoric” over the past years has created a “wall between the Republican Party and Hispanic community.” Hispanic support decreased to a measly 27 percent of the electorate in 2012. “This is an odd formula for a party to adopt, the fastest growing demographic in the country, and we’re losing votes every election. It’s one thing to shoot yourself in the foot, just don’t reload the gun. I intend not to reload this gun when it comes to Hispanics. I intend to tear this wall down and pass an immigration reform bill that’s an American solution to an American problem,” he said.
Senator Graham said immigration reform would include developing a secure document to assure employers they’re hiring people authorized to work in the country, and allowing legal immigration for needed workers at all skill levels. The path to citizenship would require immigrants to learn English, go to the back of the citizenship line, have a job and not commit crimes.
