A historic immigration reform bill was passed by the U.S. Senate late Thursday afternoon. If approved in the House, citizenship would be provided to 11 million immigrants already living in America illegally.
"I just can't see where the Republican Conference in the House would have a path to citizenship for adults who came here illegally," said Congressman Chris Collins.
The Clarence Republican says there is a need for immigration reform, but does not support the Senate bill.
"These 11 million people are not going to go away on their own. Let's recognize, presuming they're law abiding, they have jobs, their part of our society, they've been here for awhile, their kids are going to our schools let's get our head out of the sand. lets' do what's right, but this senate bill, in this pathway to citizenship, in our opinion goes to far," said Collins.
Collins says he would like to see immigration reform that helps farmers, especially those he represents in his Congressional district.
"And we've talked to the dairy farmers, they've talked to their workers. They want legal work status," said Collins. "That's what they're after and I think the Republican Conference would support that."
Collins says he does support providing citizenship to minor children of immigrants. The congressman said there should be assistant to help them, but he stands firm against citizenship for illegals.