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.
Sure as hell it will be amnesty, but they'll call it something else.
1) they can take it or the "owner" any time they want
2) they know by observing us that they can seize more from a larger output than a larger share of a smaller output
The Chinese leaders have sold themselves further into corruption. They want a bigger economic pie so they can skim more for their personal benefit. Twas ever thus when the form of government is totalitarian/authoritarian.
When the welfare roles are empty I'll know our labor markets are tight. When 40+ yo folk are fully employed, I'll agree with you. I see a lot of underemployed highly-skilled people who cannot get better employment BECAUSE employers are looking for those $10 an hour or less workers. It's why they go outsource the work and whine in Congress for more H1B visas. Used to be, if an employer needed a skill that no one in the company had, and the employer couldn't find it to hire, they would pick a good employee and send them for training. And now ? Work goes overseas or to the low-rent illegal folks. Ask any 40-something engineer or programmer - age discrimination is alive and well in the US.
So you are one of the people who helped elect carter, who almost singlehandedly destroyed the free world.
"If you deport them, there is no punishment."
Deportation, and the removal of their ill-gotten income stream, is an economic punishment, and one that fits the crime to a 'T'. I'd personally be in favor of confiscating all their assets as well, and using said assets to pay for the deportation, and keeping the rest to finance a physical barrier, as-well-as paying for social costs of those who are on the government dole.
Remember: GOP = good RAT = bad.
Both right now are utterly corrupt, disgusting, and could care less about mainstream America, from the WH down to the local town dog catcher.
I have never seen it so out of control. They seem on the fast track to screw us all.
Any chance of the Judiciary Committee dropping this bill, even though it seems they all agreed on it now? I wonder how much effect being flooded with calls will help. Plus the House heros warning them that it won't fly in the House.
So Bush has sold out the country? Did Reagan save the country with his immigration policy?( which didn`t work) What is your plan?
Lindsey Graham is another fool. I can't believe what piss poor leadership we have.
Give me Joe Six Pack, I am sick of these pols, almost every one of them.
You do acknowledge that we are talking about criminals who've broken at least one federal law, rather than waited their turn, and pursued citizenship through proper channels like good law-abiding folk?
Both parties think they'll get the votes of the new citizens.
I've been a teacher in the public school system here in South Florida for almost 18 years. I've spent almost ten of those years in the inner city. Your quote above 1000% pegs the attitude of today's minority citizen of nearly every race and creed. African American's in particular and I'm speaking of those with ROOTS here from the distant past.
Recent immigrants (feet still wet from the raft or their back still bearing scratches from the "fence" near the rio grande river) are here for one reason and one reason only" TAKE TAKE & TAKE SOME MORE! Are they interested in giving? Hell no. They make no bones about it, either. I'm finally getting close to retirement. I can't wait.
I have boiled it down to this, the obl people are one of the following:
1. Are illegal aliens themselves;
2. Hire illegal aliens;
3. Hope to hire illegal aliens
4. Profit off the chaos;
5. Harbor and have family members who are illegals; or
6. Stand to profit off of illegals, maybe not now, but some day in the future.
How are these "poor" illegals going to come up with 2K? Not sure I could right now.
"help fill jobs that Americans either cannot or will not do"
How the heck do they know. Its for jobs they dont want to pay anyone to do. Most illegals get robbed more often by their employer than from other illegals. This is to keep a permanent underclass in this country. A real sleazy peice of legislative crud.
How many times did you hear "back in my country"???
I have come across too many of these people to have any sympathy for them. They don't give a F%^& about our country and will not sign up for this plan. They want cash to send home, period.
I can't speak for other states... Those from my state are well aware of the problem, the popular call to close the borders, and with the notable exception of a single 'D' from one of the most liberal districts in the nation, are either working hard to do something about it, or at least not actively aiding the wrong side.
Grab a pitchfork, and roust the roost!
Call, fax, e-mail, and generally harangue them until they come around, or do your level best to unseat them when they come up for re-election.
Been to three Midwestern and and Southern cities in the last week. All the cabs I rode in were driven by Vets. White ones, and all glad to be driving a cab.
I have doubts about the existence of a class of jobs 'Americans' won't do.
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