McCain: Republicans must accept a path to citizenship in immigration reform

“That has to be also part of it,” McCain told ABC News’ Martha Raddatz on “This Week” when asked whether a pathway to citizenship would be a component of reform. “There’s a new appreciation on both sides of the aisle including, maybe more importantly on the Republican side of the aisle, that we have to enact comprehensive immigration reform.”

McCain said that a small group of Senators will release the principles of a comprehensive, not “piecemeal,” reform bill this week.

“I’m very pleased with the progress,” McCain said. “It’s not that much different from what we tried to do in 2007.”