Top Republicans to Present Idea on Immigration Reform

Top Republicans will call this week for a path to legal status, but not citizenship, for many of the 11 million adult immigrants who are in the country illegally. A path towards citizenship would be offered for immigrants brought to the United States illegally as young children. Despite this many party strategists and conservative voices are pushing for this reform to be anbandoned or postponed until next year, for fears that it would start an internal party rupture before the midterm elections.

At the same time, many Republicans recognize the importance of the Latino vote, especially at a time they have seen their support from Latinos due to their stance on immigration.

Many pro-immigration organizations that have been briefed on the guidelines say they are intended to serve as a gauge of how far to the left House Republicans are willing to move.

The question remains whether Democrats would accept and type of Republican reform that falls short of offering full citizenship for immigrants who are illegally here. President Obama has said he was legislation that would offer a path of citizenship to both adults and children.