Arizona congressman: Immigration reform close, but not done

PHOENIX — Comprehensive immigration reform still has hurdles to overcome, said Arizona Rep. Ed Pastor.

“The problem is that the so-called Gang of Eight on immigration reform wants to make the negotiations with anybody leaking it,” he said. “Once you leak information, then you get people favoring and opposing reform and before you know it, you get more conflict and chatter outside of the negotiations. ”

The Gang of Eight includes Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake and Sen. John McCain.

Another of Pastor’s chief concerns is how to define a secure border. That is a major trigger point in the reform for millions of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. who want to become citizens.

“I think the legalization is something they’ve worked out because you’re hearing more commonality on it,” he said. “With the AFL-CIO and National Chamber of Commerce working out a deal with the guest worker program, that puts them pretty far ahead.”