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Marco Rubio is officially on the campaign trail, and his first big challenge iswinning the Republican nomination in a crowded pool of candidates.

"Tonight, grounded by the lessons of our history, but inspired by the promise of our future, I announce my candidacy for President of the United States,"Rubio said Monday.

It's a meteoric rise for the sophomoresenator, who was elected amid a surge of tea party support in 2010.But there's one big issue Rubio has to tackle to win theRepublican nomination his stance on immigration.

"Deporting all illegal immigrants is not a practical solution. But ignoring the fact that they're here is just as bad,"Rubio said in 2013.

Rubio was part of the "Gang of Eight," a bipartisan group of senators who authored a comprehensive immigration reform bill in 2013.

Thatbill included a legal pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants,something hardline conservatives stringently oppose. Rubio's support of the bill lost him a lot of favor in the tea party.

"People are furious about this,"activist David Caulkett told WPTV.

The measure passed the Senate but ultimately stalled in the House, and Rubio quickly began backtracking.

Last year, he told a group of immigration protesters,"You don't have a right to illegally immigrate to the United States."

Now, with the GOP nomination for president on the line, Rubio's immigration rhetoric focuses more andmore on border security.

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Rubio's first challenge: Immigration stance