[Cboldt]

Senator Graham outlines why he thinks the McCain/Kennedy plan is not an amnesty

• Have to pay $1,000 to obtain legal guest worker status
• Need to obtain a background check
• In order to be eligible for green card (permanent legal immigrant), must
  1. have a 6 year "uninterrupted" work history
  2. go through the 5 year "green card" process
• demonstrate proficiency in English language
• demonstrate knowledge of "citizenship" (basic government)

Senator Feinstein injects a question that indicates she does not like the idea of imposing a requirement for uninterrupted work (which I think is no period of more than 45 days without holding a job), because that would exclude, well, it would exclude some.

Senator Graham indiates the nature of the aliens as "The last thing they want to avoid is work."

[Bahbah]

Graham indiates the nature of the aliens as "The last thing they want to avoid is work."

Quite an assumption to make with respect to 100% of these illegals. No drug dealers in the bunch?

[Cboldt]

Grassley's amendment indicates the folly of hurry - Grassley is willing to negotiate the number of H1B visas, which is part of his amendment, but without time to discuss this, the issue gets "settled" in a distorted way.

As framed; 200,000 cap on H1B visas (including exemptions) + $2,000 fee (an increase from present), the amendment is CERTAIN to fail.

Grassley complains to Specter that he (Grassley) has been trying to negotiate this with Specter for weeks, and Specter was not responsive to the offer. Hahahahaha. Collegiality at its finest.

Kyl points out that the "go to the back of the line" selling point is bogus. "It's not fair to those who are playing by the rules."

Kyl is also peeved about the hurry up to vote stance. At this time of the day, this hearing could become interesting. ;-)

[dagnabbit]

have a 6 year "uninterrupted" work history

Break the law for 2,3,4,5 years: you're out of luck. Break the law for 6 years running and then you're OK!

Inmates/Asylum.