Posted on 03/16/2006 1:51:16 PM PST by VU4G10
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Under pressure to produce broad immigration reform legislation by the end of the month, a U.S. Senate panel on Thursday neared agreement on a proposal that would give some of the 12 million illegal aliens living in the country an opportunity to earn citizenship.
Although no vote will be held until after a weeklong congressional recess, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday appeared ready to back a proposal by panel member Sen. Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, who has worked on the issue with his Republican colleague John McCain of Arizona.
The panel, which is working on comprehensive immigration and border security legislation, will also consider a related proposal that would allow foreigners to enter the United States as legal guest workers and then have a chance to earn permanent status.
Republicans are divided over immigration policy, and the Judiciary Committee plan is likely to spark a firestorm from conservatives who oppose regularizing the status of illegal immigrants, saying they would be rewarded after breaking U.S. immigration law.
But backers cite both economic and security reasons. They say that providing a path to permanent residency and eventual citizenship will avoid creating a permanent underclass of workers and help bring illegals aliens out of the shadows.
Sen. Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican who opposes giving permanent status to illegals, said after the meeting that the panel would probably vote for the Kennedy plan.
"The votes are there," Grassley said.
NO AMNESTY
Kennedy told the committee the proposal was not an amnesty. People seeking legal status would have to pay a $2,000 fine, apply for a six-year temporary status, have a job, pay taxes, learn English and show an understanding of U.S. government.
They would not get permanent status faster than the three million foreigners awaiting legal entry, he said.
"There is no moving to the front of the line, there is no free ticket," Kennedy said. "This is not amnesty."
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, quipped that the requirements "probably exclude half of my family."
The panel also reached tentative agreement on a guest worker program sought by President George W. Bush has said he wants. A compromise struck between Kennedy and Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, would give future temporary workers an opportunity to seek permanent status after four years.
U.S. business groups favor creating a temporary worker program to help fill jobs that Americans either cannot or will not do. Both business and labor groups also favor giving current undocumented workers a way to legalize their status.
Committee members said details would be worked out during the recess.
The panel is working against a deadline set by Majority Leader Bill Frist. The Tennessee Republican, and possible contender in the 2008 presidential race, wants the Senate to take up a bill addressing only enforcement and border security. He threatened to do that on March 27 if the Judiciary Committee failed to reach agreement on comprehensive legislation.
Whether Congress will finalize immigration legislation before the November congressional elections is unclear. Both Democrats and Republicans are likely to use the issue to gain advantage.
The House of Representatives has voted for tough border security and enforcement legislation with no guest worker program. The two sides would have to work out their differences before a bill could be sent to Bush for his signature.
How do you stop a military invasion? Secure the borders. In this case, we build walls, fences, moats, whatever is necessary. Use the military to backup the Border Patrol until we can increase our border security forces. While the barriers are being built, start enforcing the provision of the IRCA of 1986, which prosecutes and punishes employers who violate the law by hiring illegals. At the same time, Congress needs to change the law that gives free medical services and welfare handouts to illegal aliens. Most Americans support everything I listed. Now we just have to get the CongressCritters to grow some cojones and do whats right.
Maybe this isn't a bad thing. Sensenbrenner has already publicly stated McKennedy is dead in the House so let the Senate pass it. Even though Kyl/Cornyn is almost as bad that probably stood a better chance of getting through so most likely when it's all over we'll get what the vast majority of us want, an enforcement only bill.
The problem with amnesty is that it just begets more illegal immigration. In 1986 we gave amnesty to 3 million illegals and now 20 years later we have 12 million (and there have been 6 mini amnesties in between).
It sends the message to the world that we are not serious about our immigration laws. If they can just get here, sooner or later we will make them citizens. It makes all those poor people who are trying to follow our laws by standing in line for years look like smucks.
El dinero no puedo comprar la felicidad......If you don't understand it is time you enroll in your local community college to learn the new language of the USA>>>>
Don't you get the impression when you read threads like this one that we're watching The Washington Post types who come here all the time to cause trouble?
Exactly, stop the FREE health care and welfare then they lose half the incentives.
They certainly can't be talking about an advantage with the American people...We are against them...Obviously it's an advantage with the bribers who pay for the presidential and congressional elections...
This administration has been putting the screws to their people for some time now...I don't trust 'em...On anything...I no longer trust them on the war on terror...On Iraq...
I don't.
You want to become a US citizen, you go through the proper channels. Just like millions of foreigners have done throughout our history.
When WAS the last time you trusted Republicans? Ever?
You sound like your a leftist posting from the LA Times.
I am standing where I have always been standing and the Republican Party hasn't been seen around these parts since Ronald Reagan left office.
I don't disagree with that. But there are a lot of you on this thread who have hardly ever had a good thing to say about this administration and if you're conservatives, I think I'd faint.
I am for sealing the borders and forcefully addressing the illegal immigration, but elected officials are not. It's really at crisis level, IMO.
Of course I agree with you regarding the host of the WP types who never miss an opportunity to be led my MSM.
Fools??? George Bush still employs Democrats installed by Clinton...We (including you) ARE the fools for allowing these derelicts into our gov't at the last election cycle...The democrats already control the gov't...We just call them Republicans...
It's not often, but once in a while there's just nothing to say in response. LOL
Please stop with the "I'll never vote for them again". The same immigration issue was on the table in the '04 elections but they had record turnout and the Republicans won big time.
The Democratic party has become the US National Communist Party, while the Republican Party has been transformed into the National Socialist Party. The only difference is that the Republicans allow a role for Religion in our civil affairs. We really do need a third party; a National Conservative Party.
That would be good, but it won't happen in my lifetime, imo. Things will have to get much, much worse.
Everyone wants to come here. That's why we just might as well help them make their own countries follow a democracy/capitalist formula.
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