2 Senators Counter Bush on Immigrants

washington post.com ^ | 1/22/04 | Helen Dewar

[GrandMoM]

Two prominent senators proposed yesterday a bipartisan alternative to President Bush's immigration initiative, including the prospect of permanent legal status for undocumented workers who fulfill residency, employment and other requirements.

The proposal by Democratic leader Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.) and Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel (Neb.) differs in key respects from Bush's plan, but they pledged to work with the White House to ensure passage of a new immigration law.

"We can tighten and bring common sense to a patchwork of immigration law that make no sense," Hagel said at a news conference as he and Daschle unveiled their bill.

The senators conceded that final action is unlikely this year but predicted eventual passage of a proposal similar to what they submitted yesterday, in part because of its bipartisan sponsorship. "A bill like ours . . . will eventually pass," Daschle said.

The proposal outlined by Bush this month -- and touted in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night -- would allow immigrant workers and those already illegally employed in this country to obtain temporary visas for as many as six years, so long as Americans are not available to fill the jobs. There would be no automatic path to permanent residence. After their visas expire, they would have to return home.

[GrandMoM]

The Daschle-Hagel proposal would allow illegal immigrants and their families to become "invested stakeholders" in the United States

[upchuck]

Thank you so much for linking to the printer friendly version. Those of us stuck with 56K dialup hell really appreciate it.

[joesnuffy]

The country is gonna look like the Oklahoma land rush by spring

[Pukin Dog]

Master Politics.

If Bush's version wins (impossible) Bush loses.

If Bush's version is rejected (likely) Bush wins.

If a replacement version is passed (most likely) Bush wins.

If a replacement version fails (least likely) Bush wins.

In other words, Bush wins.

[GrandMoM]

....and I am deeply saddened!!!!

[GrandMoM]

....I always try to post the printer friendly version, for I also have a 56K dialup.

[joesnuffy]

JIM BEHNKE wrote an editorial in the local paper that reads:
"Sharing a letter from an agent

My column today will consist of a letter that I received from a Border Patrol agent. I have many contacts within the Border Patrol
across Arizona and Texas. This letter says it all. Name withheld by request.

"Your column on 1/8/04 was appreciated! As an agent with the Border Patrol, I appreciate someone saying what I feel I cannot. There
are so many other little pieces of the puzzle that don't fit with any of these 'proposals.' We apprehend hundreds of thousands of
children that are coming to be with fathers already living and working in the U.S. illegally each year.

None of these children are eligible
to work in the U.S., under our labor laws. There are also so many that have been convicted of crimes that we spend hours
prosecuting, only to see them released with time served to try to enter again. None of these people would be eligible for amnesty.

"The tides have turned in their opinion. There is no need to return to a corrupt country when all you have to do is to send for your
family. The good U.S. taxpayers are all too happy to educate their children and provide health care for their elderly. We are
apprehending millions of wives, children and parents of illegal workers already here. They are not coming here to work and go home;
they are coming here to stay.

"We watch the 'Mexican military' aid in the smuggling of drugs across our borders every day. The people in the U.S. would never stand
for this kind of behavior from their military. In fact, when we found out about a group that was smuggling drugs through the fort, they
went to prison. The people leaving the country of Mexico are giving up. They will not stay and fight to make their country better. This
is exactly what we don't need in our country.

"When President Fox does something about his corrupt military smuggling drugs into our country and raping and robbing those leaving
his country, then maybe we can talk. Until then, the only way we should give legal status to an illegal alien is after they renounce their
citizenship of origin and swear their allegiance to ours. Then they can complete six years of service to their new country in one of its
armed forces to prove that they now respect our country and the laws they broke to get here.

I am personally tired of watching my
fellow agents dying to protect this great countries' sovereignty and enforce its laws only to be told by the ACLU, Fox and others that
we are wrong.

"Thank you again,

"Proud Border Patrol agent and American""

[GrandMoM]

))))PING((((

[F16Fighter]

"Master Politics...In other words [mo matter what], Bush wins."

And America loses...

Now can anyone explain to us why Dubya has made a proposal to reward Illegal Invaders IN THE FIRST PLACE?

[GrandMoM]

None of these children are eligible to work in the U.S., under our labor laws. There are also so many that have been convicted of crimes that we spend hours prosecuting, only to see them released with time served to try to enter again. ....Time to replace these GARBAGE JUDGES!!!!!!!

[GrandMoM]

....because Carl Rove thinks it's a "GOOD THING!"

[JohnnyZ]

Ah, Chuck Hagel, the distinguished senator from France.

I can't believe we're gonna have to put up with this guy running for president for FOUR MORE YEARS!!! Ugh.

[FITZ]

why Dubya has made a proposal to reward Illegal Invaders

Whatever the reason, it's not for the USA and it's not for American citizens. He may be trying to help the elite of Mexico out --- they're worried about losing power if the border were tightened up. Or maybe he feels sorry for the citizens of that country and figures the citizens of America can just dish out some more money.

[MissouriForBush]

"Master Politics."

More like Master Sleaze.

[azhenfud]

Here's my take in it:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1062930/posts

[stopem]

On one of the talking heads show yesterday it was mentioned that now the illegals are forming gangs and attacking. Doesnt that make you feel better about Bush and his Immigration laws? And why is it called immigration, they are not coming in legally.
Something was also mentioned about "sanctuary" for these illegals and their gangs, that the police cant do anything about it that INS or the feds are the only law enforcement that is ALLOWED to protect citizens against these illegal alien gangs.
Make you feel more secure now? Bush needs to get a grip alreday and start really protecting Americans against terroism right here at home concerning these illegal gangs and the fact that our police cannot protect citizens against them. Outrageous dirty little secret.

[azhenfud]

...or maybe the Bush Administration is underhandedly attempting to protect and reward those felon businesses who hire and aid Illegaliens - those that are among the powerful Washington elite who contribute $$$ to his campaign, money scammed from Americans through the systematic destruction of the middle-class by undermining the middle-class standard of living through "cheap" labor and continued evasion of taxes.

[ohioman]

Chuck Hagel of Neb is one of the more consistent A-hole Rhinos in the Senate. Why do Nebraskans keep re-electing this guy?