Rubio and Cruz Go Head to Head on Immigration

Thursday spurred a heated debate between presidential candidates Senator Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. The two candidates have both alluded to problems that they have with one another's immigration policies but in an interview with Laura Ingraham, a conservative talk radio show host, Cruz began to openly criticize the actions and policies of Rubio. Cruz specifically called into question Rubio's previous stances on the "Gang of Eight Bill" that was proposed in 2013. This bill would have increased border control in an attempt to lower illegal immigration; however, Rubio voted against all of its amendments. As Cruz called into question Rubio's position, Rubio did the same for Cruz. Rubio released videos of Cruz from 2011 supporting immigration reform that would open up work visas so that more immigrants would have a path to legalization. Cruz has repeatedly expressed his staunch support of strict immigration reform that would lower the entrance of illegal immigrants, but his position has been wavering. Rick Santorum, former governor of Texas, also noted that Cruz supported increased worker visas. That said, Cruz now claims that he has changed his mind and would reform the H-1B program to prevent abuses.

The debate between these two candidates is indicative of a split within the Republican party and raises questions as to what their platform will be for immigration. Many republicans favor the option of granting a path to citizenship and see that deporting millions of people is illogical. However, some hardline conservatives support deportation and see it as necessary to uphold the laws. Rubio said,"We are going to have to deport some people, if you're not going to enforce the law, what's the point of having those laws?". Rubio specifically referred to the need to remove those who had criminal records. Javier Polmarez, the head of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, was quoted saying that this would still amount to six million people. Some candidates, such as Fiorina, have jumped on the feud and said Rubio is shifting his opinion to fit the party. The Republicans are struggling to find what exactly they support for immigration reform, although most oppose Trump's plan to build a "beautiful wall".

With the primaries in Iowa fast approaching, it will be interesting to see how the immigration debate develops. Rubio has expressed that the Republican party needs to change its ways in order to attract the Hispanic vote. Yet, Rubio is criticized for having not supported stricter border control to now saying that deportation is needed. Another injury to the Republican campaign are Trump's recent comments have hurt the view of the Republican party on behalf of the Hispanic community.

Does the Republican party need to change its immigration policies and modernize, or will this lose the conservative base? Is Rubio changing his opinions on immigration to fit the party? Should immigrants be given a path to citizenship or is deportation necessary?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/13/us/politics/immigration-fight-boils-over-as-ted-cruz-and-marco-rubio-battle.html?ref=politics&_r=0

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/259966-cruz-and-rubio-lock-horns-on-immigration