Rep. Broun says some Republicans are 'getting soft' on immigration

Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) said that some Republicans are getting "soft" on immigration policy.

Broun was asked by radio host Laura Ingraham whether he was on the "bandwagon" to a "path to legalization" for illegal immigrants. Ingraham, in asking her question, mentioned Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who have both indicated support for reforming current immigration laws so that some immigrants living in the country illegally could obtain legal residency.

"No I'm not, absolutely not. These illegal aliens are criminals and we need to treat them as such," Boun said Friday on Ingraham's radio show.

Broun said he had spoken with some of his colleagues who are changing their views on immigration.

"I had a long discussion with some of our members who are getting soft on the issue," Broun said.

The Georgia Republican warned that without improving border security, reforming immigration laws could result in a new wave of illegal immigration.

"But Laura, until we secure the border, nothing else matters," Broun said. "And if we start opening up discussion and showing folks from outside this country that we're going to legalize and give amnesty to other folks that come here illegally, all that's going to do is cause a flood and that's going to cause more flood to the federal government, more cost to the states, more cost to the local governments, and we can't afford it."

Broun's comments follow Paul urging the Republican Party to embrace immigration reform. The Republican Party, Paul said on Tuesday, "must modernize our immigration controls and databases. It must allow for as much legal immigration as our workforce requires. And it must treat those who are already here with understanding and compassion — without also unduly rewarding them for coming illegally."

Broun is currently running for retiring Sen. Saxby Chambliss's (R-Ga.) Senate seat.

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