Grover Norquist, tea party leader call for immigration reform bill

Is it ironic or hypocritical
that Grover Norquist attended Thursday’s meeting of conservatives calling for
the Republicans to stay with a far-right message but also announced his support
for an immigration reform bill?

Tea Party Express co-founder
Sal Russo joined Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, in calling
on Congress to pass immigration reforms this year. Russo was joined by Al
Cardenas, chairman of the American Conservative Union on a
teleconference.

“Our economy, our security, and
our citizens deserve a system that works,” said Russo.. “Tea
Party voters want solutions to the real problems facing America and
immigration is no exception. We encourage Congress to take action this
year and provide conservative, free-market, common sense solutions to
the problems in our immigration system.”
 
“The majority of Americans know
that fixing immigration reform is essential to America’s
future,” said Cardenas, chairman of the
American Conservatives Union. “Congress has a great
opportunity to bring conservative ideals to the immigration debate
and remake our immigration system into one that respects our laws and
our borders, accommodates those that want to come to America to
contribute, and recognizes the needs of the U.S. economy. 
 
“Today’s call is just the first of a series
to discuss and promote principled conservative reforms to our present
broken immigration system that will strengthen the economy, increase
American competitiveness and highlight the “surprisingly” strong
support for immigration reform from the political center-right,” said Norquist. “Failure
to act is hurting our businesses and our citizens. Congress can and
should lead on this issue and pass reform this year.”  

The Partnership for a New American Economy,
Americans for Tax Reform, and the Tea Party Express today released a new
national survey of 400 Republican Primary voters who identify with
the Tea Party.

Key Findings:

* Voters want Congress to act on immigration reform
this year: 71 percent said it is important that Congress act on
immigration reform this year. 

* Voters support a plan in line with Speaker
Boehner’s standards: 76 percent support a plan that includes both
improved border security and enforcement as well as a way for
undocumented immigrants who are already in this country to stay if they
pay penalties, pay back taxes, pass a criminal background check, and
learn English and American civics.

* Voters support a way for undocumented immigrants
to attain legal status or U.S. citizenship: 70 percent support a
plan that provides legal status or U.S. citizenship for
undocumented immigrants who pay penalties, pay back taxes, pass a criminal
background check, and learn English and American civics.

* Voters would elect a candidate who supports broad
reform: 69 percent would vote for a candidate who supports broad
reform over one who supports border security and enforcement only.