Portman backs pathway to legalization for immigrants

by Jordain Carney - 10/18/16 11:26 AM ET

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) is throwing his support behind granting legal status to undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S.

{mosads}”Frankly, I think for those who are here, who have roots in the community, who are willing to come forward, pay a fine and pay any back taxes … should be able to have a path to legalization,” Portman said during a Monday night debate with Democratic challenger Ted Strickland.

“We do need to do something for people who are here, and people are living in the shadows,” he said.

Portman voted against a wide-ranging immigration bill that passed the Senate in 2013, arguing that it did not include tougher law enforcement provisions. He reiterated his concern during Monday night, calling the U.S. a “country of laws” and saying undocumented immigrants with criminal records should be deported.

“It has to be done with enforcement,” Portman said. “If it’s not, it won’t work.”

Strickland, who said he supports a proposal similar to the 2013 bill, said that a pathway to legalization is “certainly a beginning” but that he would support a pathway to citizenship.

He also blasted Portman over his months-long support for GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, who said many Mexican immigrants are rapists or murderers. Portman endorsed Trump in May but rescinded his endorsement earlier this month after a leaked tape from 2005 showed Trump speaking vulgarly about groping women.

“He’s supporting a man who has taken outrageous positions,” Strickland said. “I do believe there should be a pathway to citizenship. I don’t want a two-tiered society.”

Portman has a huge edge over Strickland, leading by more than 15 points in the RealClearPolitics polling average. He has run away with the race, even though the presidential battle between Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is a dead heat in the state.

Tags Donald Trump Hillary Clinton Rob Portman