Posted on 10/23/2005 3:17:13 PM PDT by jebanks
Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska once again will wade into the political minefield of immigration reform, planning to introduce legislation that would allow immigrants here illegally to work their way to legal status.
The plan Hagel is expected to introduce Tuesday also will include stronger controls at the border to stem the flow of undocumented workers into the United States.
Sen. Chuck Hagel
The Republican said Saturday there are about 10 million illegal immigrants here now who are an integral part of the nation's economy. Any immigration proposal must recognize and provide a way for them to earn legal status.
"Most illegal immigrants are here for the same reasons our grandparents came to this country, to improve their families' future," he said. "Most of them are good people, but the fact is they are here illegally. We have to deal with that."
Hagel held meetings in Omaha to discuss immigration in advance of unveiling his proposal.
On Friday he met with federal, state and local law enforcement officials. On Saturday he met with immigrant advocates in south Omaha, a traditional landing place for undocumented workers.
Hagel said the outline of his plan was well-received in both meetings.
Overall, Hagel said, the plan will be similar to the bill he introduced with then-U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., in the last Congress.
But it will include some new details, including additional resources for border security.
He said he also will introduce the plan in three different bills. He said his previous experience in taking on controversial and complex issues, including climate change, has shown that breaking the plan into pieces would make it easier to pass.
Chuck Hagel says: let's give my meatpacking campaign contributors a chance. If they had to pay Americans a living wage their profits would go down.
No one really knows the number.. or evidentially cares..
YOU CARE?... Most of congress don't..
"WE" have elected people that could care less..
Americans have elected people that could care less..
I wonder if they realize how much they are alienating their base of illegals. They figure we have no where else to go--and (unfortunately) they're right. But some of us may just stay home.
Setting yourself on fire will also grab attention -- until the fire runs out of fuel and dies. At that point, what's left has about as much substance as any third party.
Freakshows get my attention also, but only as laugh objects -- which is all third parties are good for, really. Where's the Reform Party now?
>>>Another sellout.<<<
Hagel is not a sellout. He has never been with us. He has always been a leftist.
There are a lot of tax evaders who are an integral part of our economy.
Most tax evaders are trying to improve their families' future. Most of them are good people.
Mr. Hagel, why should I pay my taxes? Are you going to give me amnesty, too?
ping
Let's keep the illegals and deport Hagel
Chuck Hagel's for sale too. Who would have thunk it?
Best laugh I've had all day!
They used the only chance they had crossing ILLEGALLY!
Tell you what, Chuck, you give one of them a chance as your grand-kids' baby sitter and maybe we won't call you a hypocrite when we kick your sorry but out of the Senate.
Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson.
Both stink in regards to illegal immigration.
You are the heartland and not a place where our congress has made law concerning cubans that allow any crazy or killer that sets foot on U.S. soil to stay here. In Fla. we have about three million here that way.
fidel empties his insane asylums and jails of his garbbage and ships them here.
Iowa, Nebraska etc. only care for cheap labor.
I've been in Nebraska many times and find it a wonderful place. But don't worry about how it is and has been, just consider how it is going to be to go in a majority of businesses and only spanish is spoken.
Miami and Ft. Lauderdale uswd to be great places too. Now you have to be spanish or you are ignored.
So little lady go back to high school and take a spanish class and maybe a mexican culture class too.
Oh yeah and keep voting for your wondwrful Mr. Hagel.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.