Immigration is key issue, Flake says

lilbawler2001 · 09:45 AM

Quote:

n a wide-ranging interview with the Mesa Republic, U. S. Rep. Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona's 6th District, which includes most of Mesa, said he is pushing for comprehensive immigration policy reform to end the costly and bitter debate, which has been reduced to "30-second sound bytes."
Flake said the immigration issue is particularly pressing and that it comes up in his discussions with Mesa .

"I think Arizonans realize by and large that you have to deal immigration in a comprehensive fashion," Flake said. 'You just can't say we're going to enforce current law without dealing with border issues and the population that's here illegally now. It's a very complicated issue."

Flake said he expects to be at the forefront when President Obama convenes a summit at the White House in coming weeks.
"It's a bipartisan summit and I assume I'll be involved in that," Flake said.
"President Obama is trying like President Bush did before him. It's difficult in Congress. It's an issue that a lot of members are afraid to touch. And that's unfortunate because a state like Arizona bears a disproportionate burden in health care costs, education costs and criminal justice costs. Communities here bear the brunt as well."
But Flake said the Republican party's reputation has been marred by the immigration debate.
"On the substance of the issue we're a lot closer than we think. But the tone and tenor of the debate drives people who would otherwise be Republicans out of the party. And it's not just Hispanics. I'm talking about others as well who just don't want to be associated with a party that is seen as intolerant or shrill."

http://www.azcentral.com/community/m...flake0530.html

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Immigration is key issue, Flake says