According to the Chicago Sun-Times, long-time amnesty advocate Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) has been reaching across the aisle to influential Republicans in an effort to move a comprehensive immigration reform bill through Congress in 2013. (Chicago Sun-Times, Dec. 26, 2012)
The Chicago paper reports that Gutierrez met with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)—who has become an influential leader within the pro-amnesty wing of the Republican Party—the Thursday before Christmas. “I had a good meeting with Sen. Rubio and I look forward to talking to him [] early and often in the New Year. As I have said, he can play a very important role on the immigration issue and will help the Republican Party address the immigration issue in a productive way….” Gutierrez said of the meeting. (Id.)
Sen. Rubio’s spokesman Alex Conant confirmed that a meeting between the Senator and Rep. Gutierrez took place, but declined to offer any details, stating only that Sen. Rubio “really wants to be part of the solution….” (Id.)
Former GOP Vice-Presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), also met with Rep. Gutierrez to discuss comprehensive immigration reform the previous week. “What we did was just kind of catch up,” Gutierrez told the Chicago Sun-Times. “Ryan wants to do the right thing,” he added. (Id.)
President Obama has made no secret of his intention to push amnesty for illegal aliens in the beginning of his second term. His Administration is already planning a “social media blitz” this coming month to shore up support for their efforts. (LA Times, Dec. 7, 2012)