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.
- First you stop the transfer of funds back home
- Next you build a wall
- Then and only then, do you even talk about guest worker programs and other thinly disguised amnesty programs.
These proposed travesties would do nothing to control the flow of illegals into this country - would actually encourage more of it - so what's the point?
You know, I read through that list and can't help but think of a parallel in the UN Human Rights Committee and who the members are on that committee.
convertability equals amnisty
This is undoing the 1996/94 reforms.
this is ronald reagans mistake all over again.
NO CONVERTABILITY OF WORKER VISAS
LOL I'm not. But you're attempting to change the subject.
Here is the Merriam-Webster definition for socialized medicine:
"Main Entry: socialized medicine Function: noun: medical and hospital services for the members of a class or population administered by an organized group and paid for from funds obtained usually by assessments, philanthropy, or taxation"
In the good old USA, the federal government uses taxation to pay for its socialized medicine.
You said you've read the US Constitution. I'll ask you again. In that great historic conservative governing document, where does it state, the federal government is responsible for supplying free drugs to seniors.
I am conservative on almost all issues. I think that Reagan and now GW are the best 2 presidents of the 100 years. I have to part company with most of you on this one, however. You can not deport millions of people, many of whom own property, have citizen kids, and live decent lives in our communities. Yes, they have jobs, would you rather that they didn't? Very few native Americans that I can imagine would do the vast majority of these jobs. Instead of having a dynamic, growing economy like we do, the economy would be smaller than it is now. Many of you would not not be enjoying the wealth that you do now. Yes,throw out the criminals and terrorists but find a way to let the overwhelming majority of established aliens stay. GW knows all of this and so do most people. It about time we get realistic about what is happening here.
"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. "
And vote Democrat.
I couldn't agree less.
Let the games begin!
(You must be new...)
What state do you live in? What world do you live in? I live smack dab in the middle of the US and we have problems here with Mexico's invasion. If you want immigration, and I do, let's let a fair amount from every country in the world. Invasion from a country without a shot fired is cowardice.
Learn to garden! It's fun!
Besides the fact, Reagan Man, we are now living in a POST 9/11 AMERICA. That makes the issue that much more crucial and urgent.
I was speculating with someone the other day on what the history of illegal immigration might be. So, here goes:
Pre-WWII, the Okies came west to work in the fields and the packing plants. They were then needed elsewhere during WWII, so in came the Mexicans. Migrant labor became a fact of life. During the '60s and '70s, the United Farm Workers arose to decry the plight of hispanic farm workers and win more rights for them. In the late '70s, Carter granted refugee status to immigrants from several Latin American nations, beginning the influx of the type of hispanic immigrants/illegals that we now have.
Reagan granted amnesty in 1986, which you have to admit benefitted business interests because the employer penalties have never been truly enforced. To enable the non-enforcement, employers hired illegals then called in the INS just before payday to roundup the illegals and deport them.
Then, during the '90s as Latino advocacy grew -- especially with the foundation of MALDEF -- the roundups ceased and illegal entry to this country continued apace, while Clinton-Gore greased the skids for NAFTA.
So, for Bush and RNC loyalists who wonder why the current President is "blamed" for the present malign neglect of our southern border, the answer is: This is a POST 9/11 AMERICA. THIS IS A POST 9/11 WORLD. That has contributed greatly to the growing concern among flyover country Americans, as well as the administration enthusiastically pushing CAFTA, FTAA and the Totalization Treaty in the name of "western hemisphere cooperation" while ignoring Mexico's non-support in the WOT and not following through on fighting the cocaine industry in Colombia.
What do you mean the Republicans are in charge. /sarcasm
When the people we support stick it to us what do we do then? That is what I mean.
this whole thing about earning citizenship later is crap.
thx bttt
Surely you jest...
"...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/..."
"Our own little Axis of Evil, how sweet."
Add Anal Sphincter to your list.
Elite, self serving swine. Could they be more contemptuous of the citizenry? Could they be more brazen about it?
Even if the House holds it at bay, we need to wash this obscene idea out of the so called minds of RINOs.
Not One Dime........... and I will vote for a third party, wherever a RINO exists. They are all part of the problem. Time to throw the bums out.
Did they not all take an oath to DEFEND the constitution and the country?
"Do you remember how ANGRY Clinton got when the voters handed the House to the Republicans in 1994? He was furious and called us all joe-sixpacks and idiots. I predict a Bush version of the dance if the Republicans get sent packing in the fall, and I think there is a good chance of it. Especially in the senate. The house gets some good things done, but the senate isn't worth a bucket of warm p!ss."
We need to contact each of our Senators and let them know what awaits them should they vote for this. No money and votes for them and all the money and votes that they would have gotten will go to their opponents. They may try to make us bend over on this, but if they succeed with the bill, they will be doing the bending over in November.
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