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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.
That's not such a bad deal.
I like my pie, but I'm ready for whatever to happen. Let the bottom fall out of the economy, let REAL bread lines form. I'd kind of like to see it before I die. Let the socialists realize the fruit of their workers paradise. I will laugh and laugh.
I'd have to see the details but elements of this as presented here sound reasonable to me and better than the status quo of doing nothing. I'd give them a stiffer fine. Rounding them up and deporting them is more preferable but that's not ever going to happen. Why couldn't our guys propose a stiffer version of this? Why are they gathering around an Edward Kennedy proposal? Bizarre.
AMNESTY is not such a bad deal is it?
Gee, didn't President Reagan grant amnesty to illegals? Why, yes. Yes he did.
http://www.otisgraham.com/otis_graham_writings/art_ronald_reagans_big_mistake.html
Good post!
These people want to work for cash to send home, not become Americans. This plan will really screw us.
I didn't say I think we'll get one, I just said we need one. Frankly, I don't hold out much hope for a non-globalist, non-amnesty party to gain any steam.
What about those who don't apply? Will they get deported?
With the $2000 fine, at least we'll get the upper Mexican Class.
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"My prediction: We will be sold down the river."
Which may not be too bad, because you can walk across the backs of those that are crossing it illegally.
Listen are my ten points that is needed minimally. I don't know what is in the law, but I'm sure they stole it from me:
All illegals must register under some federal identity program.
All must be fingerprinted and entered in a worker database.
All must show a record of "paid" health insurance policy.
All must show proof of paid annual auto insurance.
All must show worker's comp insurance.
All must show appropriate, valid drivers license.
All must register all family members in the states.
All must pass some basic english speaking skills.
All must pass a bilateral crime database exchange shared between the U.S. and mexico to ferret out the criminals.
All must be a yearly fee to re-validate their status.
You don't get it. All this will do is cause ANOTHER tsunami or illegals trying to cash in on the amnesty pie. That is why we are so opposed to it. If they stopped the flow first we could discuss this, but they have no intention of stopping or even slowing the flow.
I suggest everyone contact their Congressmen, NOW!
Tell them the road to citizenship is for those immigrants who follow the legal process. No amnesty for illegals. No guest worker program until the borders are secured. And enforce the existing provisions of the IRCA of 1986 that prosecutes and punishes employers who violate the law in hiring illegals.
Because it's actually a John McCain proposal, but he doesn't want his name on it this time. Kennedy either feels bulletproof or is ready to retire.
Which did nothing but encourage more illegals to flood into the country, prompting yet another glorious amnesty.
But, but, but, Reagan did it also....:)
I'm not commenting whether it's right or not. Just that even the "perfect" conservative according to some freepers didn't do such a hot job on this matter. And he didn't have a war to contend with.
we have lost our country
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