The conservative National Review magazine editorialized yesterday against all talks of immigration reform in Washington, asserting that each proposal contains some form of amnesty.

Rich Lowry, editor of National Review, is out again today with a column specifically calling Sen. Marco Rubio‘s (R-Fla.) position on the issue a “scam”:

It’s never a good sign when lawmakers can’t call things by their real names. Even conservative star Marco Rubio — the gang’s most important member, who has been energetic and fearless in making his case — calls illegal immigrants “undocumented” workers. He referred to them in a recent blog post as people “living in the United States without proper immigration documents.” …

Sen. Chuck Schumer stated it with admirable clarity in the news conference announcing the principles: “On Day One of our bill, the people without status [i.e., illegal immigrants] who are not criminals or security risks will be able to live and work here legally.” You can’t get more direct than that.

The scam is to pretend that this isn’t the most significant point in an immigrant’s changing status. “Our purpose,” the Gang of Eight says in its statement of principles, “is to ensure that no one who has violated America’s immigration laws will receive preferential treatment as they relate to those individuals who have complied with the law.” This is manifestly not their purpose.

On the other hand, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh said earlier this week… “it would be a good thing” if Rubio “can solve [the immigration problem] in the way he set forth.”