Republicans debate next move on immigration

CAMBRIDGE, Maryland (AP) — House Republicans wrestled with the outlines of immigration legislation on Thursday, sharply divided over both the contentious issue and the political wisdom of acting on it in an election year.

At a three-day retreat, Republican leaders circulated an outline that would guide the drafting of any House Republican legislation on the subject — a document that Speaker John Boehner told the rank and file was as far as the party was willing to go.

The political drive for immigration legislation among Republicans stems from the party's abysmal showing in recent elections among Hispanic voters and the issue seen as the one area where President Barack Obama is seen to still have a chance of eking out a big legislative victory.

Still, the Republican leadership faces strong opposition from several conservatives who fear that legislation will lead to citizenship for people who broke U.S. immigration laws, are suspicious of Obama's agenda.

The most divisive of the points is a proposed pathway to legal status for millions of adults who live in the U.S. unlawfully and would be required to pay back taxes as well as fines to come out of the legal shadows. The principles also include steps to increase security at the nation's borders and workplaces.

The Republican proposal pathway to legal status for millions of adults who live in the U.S. unlawfully — after they pay back taxes and fines — but no special route to citizenship for them.

Many younger Americans brought to the country illegally by their parents would be eligible for citizenship.

"For those who meet certain eligibility standards, and serve honorably in our military or attain a college degrees, we will do just that," the statement said.

The principles also include steps to increase security at the nation's borders and workplaces, declaring those a prerequisite for any of the other changes.

As contentious as it is, the proposal for legal status falls short of full citizenship, which was included in a bipartisan measure that cleared the Senate last year with Obama's support.

The entire subject remains intensely controversial, particularly among conservatives in the House and Senate.

The drive to overhaul immigration laws flagged after the Senate acted, as House conservatives dug in. The House Judiciary Committee has approved four bills, but none has reached the House floor as conservatives have expressed concern about being drawn into an eventual compromise with the White House.

The White House issued a statement that said it welcomed "the process moving forward in the House, and we look forward to working with all parties to make immigration reform a reality."

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the leader of House Democrats, said she hoped it was possible to find common ground. Yet she added that the Republican principles "raise more questions than answers," including on the sensitive issue of citizenship.