Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on Sunday cautioned that reports that a bipartisan group in the Senate was close to a deal on reforming the nation’s immigration laws was “premature.”
“I’m encouraged by reports of an agreement between business groups and unions on the issue of guest workers,” said Rubio in a statement released Sunday. “However, reports that the bipartisan group of eight senators have agreed on a legislative proposal are premature.”
Rubio’s statement came after reports Saturday said business and labor groups had reached a deal on a plan to grant visas to low-skilled guest workers, a key stumbling block in congressional efforts to forge immigration reform.
The news led to speculation that the “Gang of Eight” senators who are working on an immigration reform deal were nearing a final accord.
Rubio’s colleagues in the group were much more optimistic about quickly finalizing a deal.