Florida Senator and Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio says he has learned his lesson on immigration after the failed attempt of the Gang of Eight to usher in reforms to the system two years ago.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference at National Harbor, Maryland, Rubio made the comments to Fox News host Sean Hannity.

"It wasn't very popular," Rubio said with a laugh.

He then went on to discuss problems with the current system from the lack of fencing on the southern border to the fact that 40% of illegal immigrants arrive legally but then overstay their visa with no ability of federal authorities to track those people.

"We also have a legal immigration system that’s the most generous in the world. A million people a year come to this country legally, no other country even comes close to that, but it’s all based on whether or not you have a family member here. And it can’t continue to be based on family alone, it's gotta to be based on some sort of merit and economic contribution," Rubio said.

"And yeah, you have 10 to 12 million people in this country, many of whom have lived here, some for longer than a decade, have not otherwise violated our laws other than the immigration laws, I get all that. But what I’ve learned is that you can’t even have a conversation about that until people believe and know — not just believe, but it has to be proven to them — that future illegal immigration will be controlled and brought under control."

Rubio's remarks drew applause from the conservative activist present in the audience.

His speech and question and answer with Hannity also touched on executive overreach by the Obama administration, his reason for being involved in public service and his possible entry into race for 2016.