NE Sen. Fischer won't support citizenship for illegals

Sen. Deb Fischer said Wednesday she will not support legislation providing a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

“You cannot reward people with citizenship who have broken the laws,” the Republican senator said during a conference call from Washington.

“This is a country that upholds the rule of law,” she said.

Fischer said she will consider legislation proposing immigration reforms but believes the top priority needs to be border security.

Fischer’s opposition to providing a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million immigrants now living in the country illegally runs counter to this week’s separate immigration reform proposals unveiled by President Barack Obama and a bipartisan collection of eight senators.

Obama proposed a plan that includes intermediate requirements to earn provisional legal status and permanent residency.

The Senate proposal, agreed to by Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois and Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, two Democratic Senate heavyweights, as well as Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, would open a pathway only after increased border security measures are completed. 

“It is nice to see senators working together in a bipartisan way,” Fischer said. “But there is no legislative language as yet.”