By David Martosko In Washington PUBLISHED: 15:39 EST, 22 April 2013 | UPDATED: 16:28 EST, 22 April 2013 It wasn't too long ago that the idea of Republicans vocally supporting a long-term citizenship outlook for oft-derided 'illegals' would have send pundits and editors scrambling to be sure it wasn't April Fool's Day. Not anymore. And if anti-immigration conservatives thought the April 15 Boston Marathon bombings would derail talk in Washington of immigration reform, they didn't count on Grover Norquist, Marco Rubio, Lindsey Graham, the Cato Institute, or an obscure Republican lobbyist named Peggy Ellis. While Ellis and Rubio aren't talking, both Cato and Americans for Tax Reform - Norquist's group - say it shouldn't shock anyone that they favor a quasi-amnesty for 11 million illegal immigrants.
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Conservative crusader Grover Norquist argues for immigration bill as most Republicans run for cover
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Mysterious lobbyist at the center of alliance between Norquist and libertarian Cato Institute
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GOP Sens. Graham and Rubio claim Boston bombers wouldn't have had it any easier under Obama-supported immigration reform plan
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Conservative blog outed communications effort, drew think-tank's barbs
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