GOP Unveils Revised Immigration Legislation

AP on Yahoo ^ | 4/5/06 | David Espo - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans unveiled revised immigration legislation Wednesday night that would clear the way for legal status and eventual citizenship for many of the estimated 11 million men, women and children living in the United States unlawfully.

Majority Leader Bill Frist outlined the proposal after efforts at a bipartisan compromise faltered earlier in the day and the Senate teetered between accomplishment and gridlock on the most sweeping immigration bill in two decades.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid pledged to review the GOP proposal overnight to see whether "it could be something we could all support." The prospects appeared uncertain, however, since the provisions appeared similar to what he and other Democrats had earlier spurned.

The fate of the 11 million immigrants living in the U.S. illegally hinged on the outcome of election-year maneuvering on an issue that Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record), R-Ariz., said had generated an unusual amount of emotion.

Three thousand miles distant from the Capitol, Cardinal Roger Mahony asked Catholics to pray the Senate passes legislation allowing illegal immigrants to gain citizenship. The Los Angeles-based prelate said the debate marked "one of the most critical weeks in the history of our country."

Republican officials said the GOP plan would divide illegal immigrants into three categories:

• Those who had been in the country the longest, more than five years, would not be required to return to their home country before gaining legal status. They would be subject to several tests, including the payment of fines and back taxes, and be required to submit to a background check, according to these officials.

• Illegal immigrants in the United States less than five years but more than two would be required to go to a border point of entry, briefly leave and then be readmitted to the United States. As with the longer-term illegal, other steps would be required, these officials said.

• Illegal immigrants in the United States less than two years would be required to leave the country and join any other foreign residents seeking legal entry.

The officials who described the proposal did so on condition of anonymity, saying the had not been authorized to pre-empt senators.

[NormsRevenge]

An unidentified man, wearing a shirt protesting House bill HR4437 on immigration reform, joins worshippers at a special Mass Wednesday, April 5, 2006, conducted by Cardinal Roger Mahony at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. Mahony, who last month promised to defy legislation that would make helping illegal immigrants a crime, called on Catholics to pray and fast in solidarity with the estimated 10 million to 12 million undocumented living in the United States. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

[NormsRevenge]

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) speaks to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at their Legislative Luncheon in Washington April 5, 2006. Clinton spoke about the on going debate on immigration and the need for health care reform. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

[cripplecreek]

Those who had been in the country the longest, more than five years, would not be required to return to their home country before gaining legal status.

Suddenly all 11 million (not counting the other 10 or so million) will suddenly claim to have been here for 5 years or more.

[Darkwolf377]

I await the flames, but reading that piece makes me think this isn't such a bad bill, after all, since it requires they all get out--it's the "If they don't..." part I am most interested in.

[rellimpank]

--why aren't the Republidums hitting Harry with this--

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash1hr.htm

[11th_VA]

So how hard is it to forge a utility bill to show they've been here the required amount of time???

They aren't called the stupid party for nothing ...

[NormsRevenge]

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales pauses delivering a speech to the Hispanic Chamber of commerce legislative conference on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 in Washington. Gonzales discussed immigration reform. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

---

Alberto Gonzales, La Raza supporter, also Attorney General and Head Law Enforcement Official under the Constitution .. some might see a bit of irony in that fact, for others, it may well be just one more reason to be concerned about why we can't enforce the laws on the books already? Why do we need all these new ones?

[Icelander]

NO NO NO

Contact your RINO Senators and critters.

 - (888) 355-3588 or (877) 762-8762

if these lines are busy, click here to find the local numbers for your senator/s.

[elkfersupper]

Deflection and eyewash.

[Capt. Tom]

Those who had been in the country the longest, more than five years, would not be required to return to their home country before gaining legal status. They would be subject to several tests, including the payment of fines and back taxes, and be required to submit to a background check, according to these officials.

The longer you have persisted in breaking the law,and violating our sovereignty, the better off you are. - tom

[advance_copy]

This cheap labor illegal legalization is political suicide by open borders Republicans. They are killing the GOP with this nonsense. The only hope for the GOP at this point: Adopt the House bill and prove you aren't for amnesty and open borders.

[cripplecreek]

Nuthin but loophole.

[claudiustg]

There best be a fence in there someplace.

[Mogollon]

Brillint!! I guess we all know that every single one of those 12 million invaders will say they have been here over 5 years. Duh..

Also, it's interesting that the reward of citizenship goes to those that have been breaking the law the longest.

[Darth Malice]

It will make no difference when the Reps lose the senate.....who will notce?

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Senate Republicans unveiled revised immigration legislation Wednesday night that would clear the way for legal status and eventual citizenship for many of the estimated 11 million men, women and children living in the United States unlawfully.

A LOT more than 11 million are here. School attendance statistics bear that out and Hispanics themselves will tell you a LOT more illegals are here than census numbers show. About 20 million are here. Bookmark this and see if it is not true for this date right now when the truth comes out in the future.

[CowboyJay]

""If they don't..." part I am most interested in."

IIRC from reading Frist's comments and proposed legislation, it's basically a McKennedy redux being introduced by Frist at the behest of the RNC to try and salvage an amnesty while maintaining the appearance of having addressed the problem (which it does not).

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

We are screwed again by the senate RINO's, I didn't even get a kiss or a reach around.

[Conservative Firster]

Immigration Deja Voodoo(The 1986 IRCA)

The legalization adjudication system, counting on the “expert” numbers in the few hundred thousands, was soon completely overwhelmed. Temporary adjudicators were quickly hired on contract and given little training. Documentary evidence provided by the alien applicants was given little review and analysis and sometimes none. When aliens had no such supporting documentation, they were allowed to simply present a sworn affidavit attesting to their work background, along with an affidavit of another “witness” and these affidavits were accepted as the totality of their supporting evidence (what, an illegal alien lie to get an immigration benefit?). As noted, fraud was rampant and there were few investigative resources to pursue it.

Even when solid criminal fraud cases were made, few US Attorneys offices were inclined to prosecute such cases. Very few perpetrators went to jail over legalization fraud. Few even had their applications denied. Over the years, the legalization system basically became a sad joke, and the United States saw a massive influx of illegal aliens who became lawful permanent resident aliens as a result. Very many of those people obtained that status by committing fraud. Many of those persons later went on to petition for alien relatives to immigrate to the US. Many then became naturalized United States citizens. The “legal” chain migration that resulted from this process was easily in the millions.