(MCT) WASHINGTON — As Republican Jeb Bush appeared to back away from supporting citizenship for illegal immigrants on Monday, top Republican senators working on the issue distanced themselves from his comments.

Bush, speaking on NBC’s “Today” show, indicated he would prefer that the estimated 11 million people living in this country illegally be given permanent legal status, rather than a pathway to citizenship — which has been the long-standing goal of the immigrant community. Senators are seriously considering such a citizenship measure in a bipartisan effort that President Barack Obama supports.