Is the 'Gang of Eight' Immigration Bill a Lose/Lose for Conservatives?

The 'Gang of Eight' immigration reform bill will head to the Senate floor next month, as three Republicans joined ten Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee to push the bill forward Tuesday.

Supporters of the bill claim it will put in place the strongest measures yet to secure the border while providing a pathway to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants. Critics label the bill an "amnesty" law, question the timeline and scale of alleged border security improvements, and argue the Gang of Eight plan will cost American taxpayers over $6 trillion.

Before leaving the Senate Judiciary Committee, 301 amendments were added to the Gang of Eight bill. Some of the more questionable amendments include provisions that would allow same-sex couples in which one partner is an immigrant to be treated the same way as married heterosexual couples with immigration policy, requirements for DNA testing samples from illegals seeking to qualify for the new “registered provisional immigrant status,” and amendments that would require the Homeland Security Department to deploy increased border security measures on the U.S.-Canadian border.

Republican Sens. Jeff Flake, Orrin Hatch and Lindsey Graham voted in favor of the bill presented to the Judiciary committee.

Pennsylvania Rep. Lou Barletta took on illegal immigration as Mayor of Hazleton, Pa., introducing ordinances in 2006 that made it illegal for landlords to rent to and employers to knowingly hire undocumented aliens, as well as made English the city's official language. The measures were considered by some to be controversial, and the American Civil Liberties Union and  Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund sued to block the ordinances.

Barletta joined 'Wilkow!' Wednesday to discuss the Gang of Eight bill and question how the Homeland Security Department will keep the border safe and make sure extensive background checks are given to those now receiving amnesty.