Prominent Republican strategists have announced they are forming a super-PAC to help redefine the party’s immigration stance and to figure out ways to appeal to Latino voters.
The super-PAC, called Republicans for Immigration Reform, also hopes to undercut those in the party rallying for strict immigration enforcement, many who became heroes to immigration hard-liners but who turned off Latinos voters.
Carlos Gutierrez, who was Commerce Secretary under President George W. Bush, and Charlie Spies, a Washington lawyer, are the brainchild behind the organization. They told the Washington Post they wanted to help push immigration reform next year—and help push Republican lawmakers who were wavering on the issue.
“This is not small ball,” Gutierrez told the Post. “We’re serious, and we are going to push the debates on immigration reform to a place where I believe the Republican Party should be in the 21st century.”
“First they have to be legalized,” Gutierrez said. “Then you have to find a way to get into a line for the green card. … There will be requirements. And we’ll have to negotiate some sort of requirements.”
Read Related: Undocumented Immigrant With Two College Degrees Gets Work Permit Under Obama Plan
Spies, behind the pro-Mitt Romney super-PAC that raised $142 million for the campaign, nor Gutierrez, have not outlined a fundraising goal.
Hard-line stances by Republicans, and Romney himself, about issues such as immigration, government assistance programs and affordable healthcare became a rallying point for Latino leaders and the Obama campaign, who warned that a Romney presidency would create hardship for Latinos and fuel hostility against them. Read the full article on FOX NEWS Latino.
