Posted on 04/06/2006 8:33:43 AM PDT by STARWISE
WASHINGTON - In a last stab at compromise, Senate Republicans and Democrats reported progress Thursday toward agreement on legislation opening the way to legal status and eventual citizenship for many of the 11 million immigrants now in the U.S. illegally.
"There's been tremendous progress overnight," said Sen. Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record) of Nevada, the Democratic leader, while Majority Leader Bill Frist also expressed optimism that a long-sought compromise might be at hand.
There was no immediate reaction from President Bush, who has made immigration legislation a key priority.
The developments occurred after Frist unveiled a new bill late Wednesday night on the subject as the Senate headed into a test vote on the most sweeping immigration bill in two decades.
In general, the legislation would provide for enhanced border security, regulate the flow of future immigrants into the United States and settle the legal fate of the estimated 11 million men, women and children already in the country.
It was the fate of the illegal immigrant population that proved hardest to legislate, and it has left the Senate on the verge of gridlock for days.
(snip)
Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., as well as other key senators met before the vote to review terms of a proposed compromise.
In general, it would require illegal immigrants who have been in the United States between two years and five years to return to their home country briefly, then re-enter as temporary workers. They could then begin a process of seeking citizenship.
Illegal immigrants here longer than five years would not be required to return home; those in the country less than two years would be required to leave without assurances of returning, and take their place in line with others seeking entry papers.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Riiiiiight....Like they're upstanding, law abiding citizens and they're just going to obey our laws and go back to Mexico. They're NOT going anywhere, and we have NO WAY to enforce this new law. We couldn't even enforce the old laws. It's ridiculous to think we can enforce this new law!!! This is no more than SHAMNESTY!
Well, I didn't see John Cornyn or Jon Kyl up on stage with the McKennedy supporters. Did you?
One thing to remember: The actual number is in all likelihood well above 20 million. Could be more than 30 million. In the '86 amnesty, three times the advertised number showed up.
And, according to Border Patrol and Minuteman sources, the deluge is picking up steam. The word is out on the street -- amnesty is the order of the day!
These people were willing to break the law to get here. what makes anyoe think they'll just go peacefully??? All they have to do now is keep staying, inasmuch as we can't even ask them if they're illegal, then in 2012, we'll just go through all this again. This is no more than a pill for the public.
" only sends home 1 million. 7 million get a free pass, less the fine ... The other 3 million get a 6 year ride to shamnesty."
They all get citizenship after they buy forged documents. Do you think federal burocrats are going to have the time or inclination to investigate whether 11 million documents are legit?
For the life of me I can not understand W on this issue. He really is clueless on this one.
___________________________________________________
There is some pay-back involved for something, mark my words.
*Sigh*
"It's like the demagogues in DC want another civil war."
If we have one, and it seems likely, we take out the house and senate first : )
Not even a good try at hiding your contempt for Mexicans.
You see, that is what is making me the most angry...
they did all of this last night...after the Senate was closed down...and today, they have been having one LONG quorum call--
I just HATE that we get no input to our Senators..because they are doing any of the debating out in the open.
The saving grace in all of this today is----it still has to go to conference with the HOUSE...and the HOUSE bill is very strong...so it isn't like what they announce today will really have any bearing on a final product.
However, I am still betting that there will be NO bill this year...
In a last stab at compromise, Senate Republicans and Democrats reported progress Thursday toward agreement on legislation opening the way to legal status and eventual citizenship for many of the 11 million immigrants now in the U.S. illegally.
We are still the constituents of the democrats even if we didn't vote for them. We have the power to change the democrat party if we have the will.
Maybe it's time to write to the democrats and tell them we'll vote for them, but we have demands that must be met first.
Mine too, anything Harry's for can't be good!
You would think that the former governor of a border state would know better. Does big business have that big a grip on W? Sure seems that way.
Hostilities dragging on in Iraq, possible $3 a gallon gas this summer, and a base divided and angry about illegal immigration. It's shaping up as the perfect storm that will swamp the GOP in November.
Let's offer our electric bills on Ebay!
BTTT
Relax my @$$!!! If McInsane and Kennedy are arm and arm, it means we are screwed. Nothing else, s-c-r-e-w-e-d!!! One liberal RINO and one slimeball communist equals SCREWED! Nothing short of it.
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