Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador joined the GOP's biggest stars Thursday morning as thousands of conservatives and tea party activists gather near Washington DC.
The Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, offers Republican leaders a high-profile stage to talk about issues, including immigration.
Labrador told CPAC members that conservatives need a grander vision for immigration reform. He laid out a three-point plan.
“The starting place for reforming and modernizing our immigration system must be securing our borders and effective enforcement of our immigration laws," he said.
The Congressman said his second step is to create a robust guest worker program that matches willing workers with employers. Labrador's third step: create a better high-skill immigration process. He says many foreign students are forced to leave after graduation, taking their ideas elsewhere.
Labrador got a round of applause when he said anyone can apply to come to America but they must follow the rules.
“It would be a travesty in my opinion to treat who violated our laws to get here, much better than those who have patiently waited their turn to come to the United States the right way," he said.
Labrador will be joined on the stage later in the week by governors Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Scott Walker of Wisconsin, and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
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