GOP leader criticizes immigration amnesty proposal

WASHINGTON - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says if President Barack Obama wants Republicans to go along with immigration reform, he has to drop any amnesty proposal.

The GOP leader says the legislation also would have to ``make a real commitment to border and interior security.''

Obama said Thursday wants to create a way for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants to become citizens, that's what opponents call amnesty. But the president says illegal immigrants would have to acknowledge that they broke the law, pay fines and back taxes, perform community service and learn English. (See separate story.)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he's committed to passing a bill this year. The Nevada Democrat is in a tight re-election race and could benefit politically from enacting a broad overhaul.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/7/230492