Poison Pills And Deal Breakers: Senate Panel Considers 300 Amendments To Immigration Reform Bill
".......Many of the proposed amendments are aimed at undermining -- or outright eliminating -- the bill's provision for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who has called citizenship a deal breaker for conservatives, filed an amendment that would ban anyone who has ever been "willfully present" in the United States without legal status from ever becoming a citizen -- basically, everyone the bill's legalization provisions are designed to help. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), the Senate's leading immigration reform opponent, is more subtle in his 49 amendments, but not by much. One would require undocumented immigrants to maintain an income greater than 400% of the poverty level (about $94,000 for a family of four) for a decade straight to qualify for a green card. Another amendment would require Homeland Security officials to conduct in-person interviews with every single undocumented immigrant who applies for legal status, which could slow down implementation of the bill.
All in all, the pro-reform America's Voice counted 59 amendments in all that "limit or obstruct" the citizenship process. These tougher measures are likely to be defeated in the Senate, but they could find new life if GOP leaders in the House decide to take a more hard-line tack.
On the flip side, some Democrats have submitted measures to make the path to citizenship easier. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) filed an amendment that would let young undocumented immigrants who haven't yet entered high school into an expedited citizenship track for 'DREAMers' who obtain a diploma."...........
Thanks for the later comments as well. I copied them to my FB page (me only) for ammo later. Facebook (under “only me”) makes a handy debate book reference.