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Rubio Targeted By Immigrant Advocates Ahead Of Primary

DORAL (CBSMiami/AP) – Despite being considered a powerful Hispanic political player and rising star in his party, Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio does have plenty of critics in South Florida, some of whom plan to let their voices be heard Friday at a high-profile appearance for the South Florida Senator.

Grassroots advocates are targeting Rubio over his support for Arizona's immigration law and other policies.

The nonprofit group Presente is leading the "No Somos Rubios" (We are not Rubios) campaign. It plans to protest and fly an airplane over the Hispanic Leadership Network's conference Friday at the Doral Country Club. Rubio and the top GOP presidential candidates are speaking there.

The campaign is a play on Rubio's name. Rubio means blond in Spanish. Presente says it's a reference to the rising GOP star's association with the mostly white tea party, which tends to oppose any path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

Presente launched in 2009 with its successful campaign to get CNN's Lou Dobbs off the network over disparaging remarks about Hispanics.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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