Nov. 22--Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner on Friday called President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration a "great start" to "get the dialogue going" on immigration policy changes.
The comments came as Rauner addressed more than 900 advocates for the Latino community in Rosemont. Rauner told the crowd he supports "comprehensive immigration reform," which he acknowledged will take more work.
"The real way to do it is on a bipartisan basis, through Congress, through the legislature, with the president, with the states all working together ... to make sure the changes are permanent, they're structurally in place for the long term," said Rauner, receiving applause.
Later, when asked by a reporter if he supported Obama's executive orders, Rauner said "It's good that the president gets the discussion moving." On Thursday, Obama set in motion a process in which the government starting next year will begin to evaluate immigrant applicants and enroll those eligible in a program that protects them from deportation.
The majority of those affected, about 4.1 million, could be eligible for a program that will invite parents of either U.S. citizens or long-term permanent residents to apply for a work permit and three years of protection from deportation. Applicants will have to prove they have been in the country at least five years.
Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn also spoke at the Friday conference, telling the crowd, "I stand with President Obama on this executive order."
"We need immigration reform in our state, in our country and it's time to get it and right now is the time to do it," Quinn said.
mmanchir@tribpub.com
