GOP Nears Deal on Immigration

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/05/AR2006040502038.html ^

[Altair333]

Senate Republicans reached agreement last night on a compromise immigration measure that they believe will garner enough bipartisan support to break through a parliamentary impasse that has stymied progress on a high-stakes border security bill for two weeks.

Under the agreement, the Senate would allow undocumented workers a path to lawful employment and citizenship if they could prove -- through work stubs, utility bills or other documents -- that they have been in the country for five years. To attain citizenship, those immigrants would have to pay a $2,000 penalty, back taxes, learn English, undergo a criminal background check and remain working for 11 years.

Those who have been here a shorter time would have to return to one of 16 designated ports of entry, such as El Paso, Tex., and apply for a new form of temporary work visa for low-skilled and unskilled workers.

[Torie]

It is hard to thin out the ranks for 11 million illegals who are working (absent replacements under some guise), without economic disruption. Granted, folks can mow their own lawns, and clean their own houses, but the construction industry would shut down. Central valley farmers in California would go nuts.

[Dead Dog]

Not to be optimistic in the face of reality. But you don't suppose this was leaked to the Wa compost?

Remember a certain SC nominee, how the conservative base mobilized, and Alito breezing through with no DNC opposition?

Is the GOP smart enough to play their own base? I can't think of historical context outside of this administration, but they seem to know how and when to piss us off to the Democrat's and Rino's determent.

[Farmer Dean]

That guy you speak of may be coming soon.The state of affairs in this country emulate conditions in Germany post WW1.Besieged by enemies foreign and domestic,people in middle America could very well support a Hitler clone.If that happens,anything bad that you can imagine is possible.

[i_dont_chat]

All this amnesty program will do is proliferate an new industry of forgery of documents to prove back wages, paid taxes, etc. People can buy any kind of documents TODAY. Add the incentive of citizenship, and the forgery business is going to BOOM!

Our government is NOT enforcing the laws now. Our government will NOT enforce these new laws.

Where is a leader who will step up and speak for America?

[Gritty]

...if they could prove -- through work stubs, utility bills or other documents -- that they have been in the country for five years

Great.

Any forger could produce these documents in 5 minutes, just like they do phony green cards.

Some "compromise". What a bunch of jerks.

[unixfox]

[oceanview]

I could live with some kind of compromise - but look at these particulars - is anyone incentivized to leave? suppose no one shows up in El Paso to be requalified as a guest worker, what do we do?

[TheLion]

We won't compete with China, we will be a third world socialist hell by then.

And that would be the good news.

[Uncle Vlad]

If the Republicans do this, I will be staying home on Election day.

[dennisw]

Wonder how hard it would be to scare up a few phony work stubs "or other documents" that are convincing enough to get past the bureaucracy? There will be a new cottage industry fulfilling this need in no time, if there isn't already.

That's what took place in the 1986 amnesty. The Feds knew the level of fraud was high but did not have enough personnel to go evaluate everyone. So plenty of fraudulent applicants got rubber stamped

THIS TIME IT WILL BE MUCH MUCH WORSE

[Zack Nguyen]

I agree. This legislation is not amnesty.

[Ladysmith]

Isn't this going to have to go through the House again if this is passed in the Senate?

[11th_VA]

ISO Third Party ...

[Reagan Man]

The House is sticking to its guns! HR4437, or nothing. Plus, there is always a chance of a filibuster. McKennedy is DOA.

The deal is far from done.

[Ole Okie]

*What did we get out of the deal?*

20 million undocumented citizens.

[Torie]

Details are inconvenient things. In the end, is it a fig leaf, or something real? Will it be enforced? Is there any reason to expect it will be enforced, given that the current laws are not enforced? Is it enforceable practically speaking, given the tools afforded, even with the best of intentions? Is there a fool proof swipe identity card (probably not)?. So many questions, so little time.

[11th_VA]

It is hard to thin out the ranks for 11 million illegals who are working (absent replacements under some guise), without economic disruption. Granted, folks can mow their own lawns, and clean their own houses, but the construction industry would shut down. Central valley farmers in California would go nuts.

I'm soooo tired of hearing this BS ...

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

and i dont think it will get by the house. the house has guts and the senate is over run by by a bunch of lindsey grahms or however you spell her name. absolutly pathetic!

[Supernatural]

Many will vote third party.

Many others will stay home.

[Shermy]

"but the construction industry would shut down. Central valley farmers in California would go nuts."

I believe the construction industry will just have to recruit out of the immediate localities, like the old days. As for southwestern farming, there is a traditional "shortage" of people ready to do migratory and seasonal labor. Illegals/guest workers have been needed for decades so for me that's "proof" some sort of program is needed in that industry (ducking bullets!).

I think if a bill allowing some sort of program for that labor, specifically laid out, is put up, that would satisfy most people's feelings some such labor is needed.