Immigrants already in the country illegally should be given a chance to stay, according to Jeb Bush.
The former Florida governor of Florida and likely 2016 Republican presidential candidate hopeful told attendees of the National Christian Hispanic Leadership Conference in Houston Wednesday that the 11 million illegal immigrants currently in the U.S. should have an opportunity to stay.
“We’re a nation of immigrants,” Bush said. “This is not the time to abandon something that makes us special and unique.”
Acknowledging that an immigration makeover is needed, Bush said it is more than moving to strengthening the border, referring to “11 million people that should come out from the shadows and receive earned legal status.”
According to Bush, those immigrants should be required to pay taxes, work and not receive government benefits.
“This country does not do well when people lurk in the shadows,” Bush said. “This country does spectacularly well when everybody can pursue their God-given abilities.”
Bush highlighted his connection to Hispanics, speaking not just in both English and Spanish, but stopping visiting Puerto Rico earlier this week.
Bush referred to the crowd of Hispanic Christians listening to him as “the hope of this country.” He was received warmly by the crowd.
The Hispanic vote is an important one for any Republican candidate looking to win the White House: Mitt Romney earned just 27 percent of it in his losing efforts in 2012.
(h/t Associated Press)
