Posted on 04/05/2006 7:51:05 PM PDT by 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.
I got my husband out of bed to read your post. I love it. I was listening to Tammy Bruce's show and heard a woman say that, for our country, "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp". She was referring to the Oscars and the song that won for Best Song. Her point was that our president and Congress were pimping America with all of the insourcing and outsourcing without regard to the citizens and the principles upon which our country was founded.
Re: Senator Frist
Is it just me or does it seem like things were much better under Lott?
"Republican officials said the GOP plan would divide illegal immigrants into three categories:"
1. Those to be deported.
2. Those too severely ill not to be deported.
3. See #1
But of course, I am asleep and dreaming.
You mean, "We don't need no stinkin' impeachement trial!" Lott?
The United States Senate is a vast wasteland.
Dole, Lott, First... it's really sad. Don't forget, we have a clear majority and still can't get reasoned laws passed in that body.
Just who will the Senate expect to verify this information? what's to keep those who've lied and stolen their way into the US from lying and forging the "proof" of their having been here? Who will swear the info is true?
IF these illegal aliens "come out of the shadows", proving they've been here and been illegally hired, do those employers become subject to criminal prosecutions as proscribed by current IRS and Immigration code?
Will employers who need "guest workers" be required to swear out an affidavit of support somewhat like sponsors of legal immigrants do? if not, will this end that requirement for other "sponsors" of immigrants?
It's apparent the Senate merely wants to rush into a disgusting, feel good measure just as unfit as doing nothing.
This may be what Senator Sessions referred to on several occasions yesterday...several senators huddled together in an office somewhere. He did not think it was going to fly.
What does Latino or Hispanic mean? Who does it refer to?
So it refers more to language than color of skin or country of origin, is that right?
You should have started that with- Dear Sir or Madame
A white man from England who speaks English is English and a white man from Australia who speaks English is Australian and a white man from the US who speaks English is American. A black man from the US who speaks English is American (or black or African-American). A yellow man from Japan who speaks English is American (or Japanese American) A black man from Nigeria who speaks English is Nigerian.
I guess what I am trying to understand is that many Hispanics who are obviously American seem to sympathize or defend the illegals from Mexico. Is the allegiance to Mexico or to the common language? One of my best friends dad is Mexican (American 100%) and his mom Korean (I think dad met mom from army days). He doesn't speak Spanish except the broken Spanish he learned from the guys on his crew. Would he be considered Hispanic by Hispanic guys?
First, the deal that they MIGHT consider is still subject to amendment by the Senate. Alot can be done to address this proposal in the amendment process. Second, anything passed in the Senate has to be reconciled with the House bill in conference. If no bill gets out of the Senate, there will be no conference bill.
Let the details emerge. If folks want to be productive, they can call their Senators, but it would also be productive to call Sensenbrenner's office as will as the House leadership.
Perservere
Oh yeah, right. Can't you picture all these illegals-hurrying down the freeway-not even bothering to stop for a taco/corncob-on the way to the border.
Get 'em out/Finish the Wall.
If the Senate were serious, they'd go after the employers that hire illegal aliens and shut off government services to illegal aliens. Then there would be no need for a fence because they'd be streaming out of the country.
They're obviously not serious. They think they're so smart and the public is really stupid. I hope we don't prove them right in the next election.
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