Paul says the GOP must 'evolve' on immigration. Paul to GOP: 'Evolve' on immigration

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Wednesday that Republicans must “evolve” on immigration while preventing America from becoming a magnet for immigrants to come and get benefits.

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“We cannot just be a beacon for everyone to come here on benefits,” Paul said on conservative commentator Bryan Fischer’s radio program Wednesday.

“You can’t have open borders in a welfare state. We’ve got a pretty significant welfare state, so it’s not just about normalizing the 11 or 12 million here, it’s whether or not while you’re doing that another 11 or 12 million come in, and I think that will bankrupt the country,” Paul said.

He continued: “So I am concerned, but I’m also open-minded enough to say that it is an issue that we do need to evolve on. But I’m not willing to be so much in adapting that I believe you allow people to come in without having a secure border and without not letting people get to the front of the line.”

(Also on POLITICO: House group crafts immigration plans)

Paul said that he would like to have an annual report for Congress to vote on to ensure that the border security is being strengthened.

“My proposal is that each year we vote on a report [on border security]… so each year if we’re going to normalize some of the people who are undocumented here, it is dependent on a vote on the border security that affirms that we are securing the border.”

(Also on POLITICO: Obama: Do immigration by summer)

Earlier this week, a group of bipartisan senators unveiled an immigration overhaul, as did President Barack Obama. Skeptical conservatives have maintained that they want increased border security if Congress passes a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

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