A group of Republicans in the Florida Legislature are calling on their party to develop new ideas for immigration reform. The topic promises to be a point of contention in the coming presidential election.
Donald Trump’s blunt—and roundly criticized—words on immigration have helped put the issue front and center in recent weeks. But some Florida Republicans, like Rep. Eric Fresen (R-Miami), warn that tough talk won’t help the party in the general election.
“Whoever can articulate the best solution—concise, logical—that actually will have a reform of the current situation, that doesn’t speak of deportation or any of that kind of fringe political mentalities, but that also, that also envisions an immigration system that will attract that best and brightest, that’s who I think will end up winning,” Fresen says.
And Sen. Rene Garcia (R-Miami) says alienating Hispanic voters cuts into the party’s support.
“Truth be told, they tend to be more conservative than they are liberal,” Garcia says, “and there’s no reason why we as Republicans can’t continue to go after their vote.”
“But we can’t do that if we’re going to take this hardline stance on immigration issues,” Garcia says.
Garcia, Fresen and a number of other Republican lawmakers point to recent polling suggesting a minority of voters in battleground and early primary states favor a policy of deportation.
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