Michael Reagan: My Father Would Endorse Marco Rubio's Immigration Plan

Michael Reagan, adopted son of the late President Ronald Reagan and chairman of the League of American Voters, a national grassroots organization that supports free-enterprise, has given his endorsement to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's proposed immigration legislation, and suggests his father would do so if he were alive today.

"The bold and bipartisan Senate immigration plan put forth by Senator Marco Rubio is a good step in the right direction and should be embraced as such by conservatives of all parties who want to continue the 'Reagan legacy,'" Reagan says in an editorial published by Newsmax.com. "Make no mistake about it, my father Ronald Reagan would be happy to see the Republicans taking a leadership position on this issue as they join with common-sense Democrats."

To those who might assert that the gradual integration of illegal immigrants into American citizenry constitutes amnesty, Reagan says "fulfilling the requirements for work status and eventual citizenship are not easy. Theyre tough, with fines and restitution."

Reagan offers an anecdote illustrating that"my Dad would certainly back the idea that the children of immigrants, brought to this country by their parents, should be able to stay here," and concludes: "If youre going to use my fathers name, use it correctly and understand Ronald Reagan was truly a uniter."