Republican powerbroker Grover Norquist says his party is not anti-immigrant but that many people think it is because of a small, vocal group of extremists.
Norquist addressed an immigration forum organized by moderate conservatives in Austin on Wednesday. He said the business community and centrists have been drowned out by a handful of "very loud, unnecessarily angry voices."
Norquist said the country's immigration laws are outdated and must be fixed before they can be enforced. That contradicts some Texas Republicans who insist on securing the Mexico-U.S. border above all else.
He also said a sensible immigration policy benefits all Americans, not just Hispanics.
Known as an anti-tax crusader, Norquist has traveled the country lately calling for immigration reform. He said Texas must be a national leader on the issue.
