Bipartisan optimism over immigration

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- An upcoming blueprint for immigration reform includes a so-called pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, said a U.S. senator who worked on the plan.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told "Fox News Sunday" the blueprint, which will be released later this week, would be comprehensive in nature and open the door to legalize an estimated 11 million immigrants who entered the United States on the sly.

"We are committed to a comprehensive approach to finally have an immigration law we can live with," said Durbin. "We have virtually been going maybe 25 years without a clear statement about immigration policy. That's unacceptable in this nation of immigrants."

Durbin said a major goal was keeping immigrant families together and stabilized. The blueprint was developed by a Senate working group consisting of three Democrats and three Republicans.

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., was not part of the group but said his GOP colleagues were optimistic about making progress on immigration reform, although he cautioned actually implementing it might not be a slam dunk.

"The details matter and I think right now, they are at the talking point stage and this needs to be reduced to legislation," said Corker. "The last time this blew up was when it was reduced to legislation, so it's my hope we will come up with a bipartisan solution."