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Rubio understands Americans frustration with immigrants

FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2014 file photo, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., talks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington. Rubio says a comprehensive immigration bill like the one he wrote and championed _ and then watched implode _ cannot win support in Congress. Instead, the potential 2016 Republican contender argues in his new book that incremental bills are his preferred approach to dealing with the 12 million immigrants in the United States indefinitely. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2014 file photo, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., talks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington. Rubio says a comprehensive immigration bill like the one he wrote and championed _ and then watched implode _ cannot win support in Congress. Instead, the potential 2016 Republican contender argues in his new book that incremental bills are his preferred approach to dealing with the 12 million immigrants in the United States indefinitely. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By Associated Press January 6, 2015 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida says he is sympathetic to Americans who feel they are “being taken advantage of” by immigrants in the United States illegally.

The Florida lawmaker is looking to use his new book, due to be published next week, to connect with the conservative base of his Republican Party as he lays the groundwork for a potential presidential campaign in 2016.

Rubio, a first-term lawmaker whose parents came to the United States from Cuba, previously wrote and championed a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s immigration system that passed the Senate. It later imploded in the House and badly hurt his standing among conservative activists who have tremendous sway in picking the party nominee.

Rubio now says he favors a one-piece-at-a-time approach.