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Prospective Republican presidential hopefuls are going to great lengths to recast their immigration pasts.

Many, like Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, are fully repenting on their past support for plans to grant legal status to illegal immigrants.

Congressional Republicans failed battle to overturn President Obamas executive orders sparing millions from deportation has only heightened urgency among the likely GOP field.

The issue is searing hot right now; its hot as the sun, said influential conservative Iowa radio host Steve Deace. Any conversation about immigration [among Republicans] that doesnt focus on whats best for Americans, the rule of law and border security is almost self-immolation right now.

Walker admitted on Fox News Sunday that he is completely reversing his previous position that immigrants could become citizens if the right penalties and waiting periods were in place.

My view has changed, Walker said. Im flat out saying it. Candidates can say that I dont believe in amnesty.

At last weeks Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Rubio sought to make amends with the grassroots base skeptical of him ever since he championed the Senates comprehensive immigration reform package.

It wasnt very popular, Rubio admitted on stage in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.

You have 10 or 12 million people in this country, many of whom have lived here for longer than a decade, have not otherwise violated our law other than immigration laws, I get all that, he continued. But what Ive learned is you cant even have a conversation about that until people believe and know, not just believe but its proven to them that future illegal immigration will be controlled.

Rubio has been backing away from his support of the bill for some time, but such a public mea culpa was striking.

See the article here:
Likely 2016 GOP hopefuls recast immigration views