The GOP immigration mess

>>> show." since the november election, one thing everything in washington agrees on is something has to get done on immigration reform . last week we did see some consensus in the senate on a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented workers in this country. today we found out what the house republicans want to do, and folks, it isn't pretty. they're considering creating a permanent underclass of americans who are not entitled to the same rights as everybody else in this country. now, the republican judiciary chairman made it clear the house is in no rush to pass immigration reform . then he asked what he called the question of the day.

>> are there options that we should consider between the extremes of mass deportation and a pathway to citizenship for those not lawfully present in the united states ?

>> republican congressman lamar smith of texas had a similar question.

>> do you see any compromise area between the current status quo and a path to citizenship for virtually all the 11 million or more illegal immigrants in the country today?

>> so house republicans are floating the idea of a permanent working underclass in this country. they don't want to deport undocumented workers , but they also don't want to grant them citizenship. republicans think this idea is middle ground . but it's really a scam to keep labor and wages really cheap. and votes off to the side. meanwhile, some republicans want to separate highly skilled workers into a separate bill. alabama congressman spencer bachus said this has a better chance of surviving at the republican-led house.

>> my point is, and i think each of you would agree, it's going to be a much easier lift to solve the problem with highly skilled workers .

>> then you have republican congressman carey ben violo who says what you're seeing here is a shameless political ploy to bye new voters. democrats want the votes and republicans the cheap labor. immigration reform shouldn't be about buying off law breakers so they'll consider becoming republican. a little compromise in the senate, but basically over in the house, they are all over the map, and that's their plan because they don't want immigration reform , because that would make president obama look good. it would help out the democratic cause. and of course, the republicans are all about having everything tied to elections. there is a lot more coming up in the next half hour of "the ed show." stay with us.

>> these strikes are legal, they're ethical, and they're wise.

>> nbc news blows the lid off the administration's drone policy. up next, robert greenwald , joan walsh and lawrence korb on the white house 's justification for killing american citizens without due process.

>>> the countdown to recession is on. and republicans are perfectly happy to let it happen . we'll take you inside today's war of words between president obama and speaker boehner over the sequester.

>>> and just when you thought republicans were done planning to