Senator Rand Paul‘s filibuster last week gained much more than just national recognition - it gained an international spotlight for a potential 2016 Presidential bid. Senator Paul has clearly been a favorite amongst the Libertarian party as well as a large, moderate portion of the GOP since his entrance to the US Senate in 2011.

Undoubtedly, Paul has been through a serious political makeover in recent weeks and continued tailoring his image Tuesday, endorsing what amounts to a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants in the US as he transforms from 2010 Tea Party insurgent to potential 2016 presidential nominee.

“If you wish to work, if you wish to live and work in America, then we will find a place for you,” Paul said in an address to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, pledging to be “part of the solution” on immigration reform.

The Kentucky Republican didn’t use the word “citizenship” in his speech. Rather, he argued for a solution besides “amnesty or deportation” and said conservative Republicans should join the immigration reform debate by “acknowledging we aren’t going to deport 12 million illegal immigrants.”

Whether or not Rand is serious about a 2016 Presidential run or not, he has certainly ruffled some feathers amongst his ‘ever-loyal’ grassroots following.