Congress Nears Deal on Illegal Immigrants (breaking on cable networks)

AP/Yahoo News ^ | 4-6-06 | DAVID ESPO

[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.

[clawrence3]

Nope - a 95% effective barrier is just a slightly less foolish waste of limited resources - so what, you've save a couple billion dollars but spent too much, put the economy in a tail spin, and STILL let 50,000 illegals in?

[JeffAtlanta]

That taking away the power of these fraudulent "republicans" involves the election of Democrats is very unfortunate, but, ces't la guerre.

Exactly - sometimes you have to take 1 step back to take 10 steps forward.

[TAdams8591]

Is a Mr. Smith goes to Washington even possible anymore?

Frankly, I can't think of anyone in the senate who would have the courage.

But if a Kyl or Cornyn did, they'd have campaign workers and supporters for a lifetime, and would probably make it to the presidency if they ran. They'd be smart to consider it.

[JeffAtlanta]

so what, you've save a couple billion dollars but spent too much, put the economy in a tail spin

Why would the economy be in a tailspin?

[inquest]

A half-percent of one year's federal budget (and that's highballing it) is not going to put the economy into a tailspin. Not by a longshot.

[clawrence3]

Why unemployable?

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

There is no problem that this bill was intended to fix.

What "problem" will this wretched bill address?

Too many taxpayers, and not enough tax-eaters?

Too many highly-skilled, well-educated, native-born workers in our economy?

Not enough potential for domestic terrorist attacks?

Not enough people incarcerated in federal and state penetentiaries?

Property taxes too damn low?

What the hell are you talking about?

[onyx]

I wish they would.
I have e-mailed the suggestion to both men.

[clawrence3]

We shall see - sometimes, republican (lower-case "r") government requires going against the majority will to do what is right for the nation.

[bill1952]

That is 'exactly' what he and Dane believe.

He just hedges a bit more than does Dane.

[sinkspur]

If you're too ashamed to defend your positions-which doesn't surprise me, since less than 10%, if that, of this board's users agree with them-then that's your problem, not mine.

You don't even know what my position is, except that I favor a balanced approach to dealing with illegal immigration. At least my way has a chance of being enacted into law. Your "let's send 'em all back" solution has NO CHANCE of passing.

You'll end up with no bill, and the status-quo, which is giving you major diaper rash, will continue.

I don't care about FReeper polls. They don't even represent what FReepers think since most don't even bother to vote (if the numbers that are thrown around here about membership are accurate).

[Txsleuth]

Well...yes, they CAN vote to violate the Budget Act...and that is something that will have to be considered.

However, they need at least 60 votes to have that pass...and I am not sure that there are 60 Senators that would go along with that...

There are still discussions going on...I just thought I would post a possible monkey wrench being thrown at the Senators has they take their victory lap around the Capitol this afternoon.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet?request_action=wh&graph_name=EC_ectbrief

"The fact is that up till about 1990, most jobs that illegals now dfod were done by American citizens."
Wow! And thanks for the link to the Beaureau of Labor Statistics.

[inquest]

It also entails making the case to the majority why the majority is (supposedly) wrong. You haven't done that. "Tailspin" chicken-littling notwithstanding.

[TAdams8591]

"document: * Conduct 135,000 national security background checks * process 30,000 applications for immigrant benefits * Issue 7,000 permanent resident cards (green cards -PER DAY) * Welcome 2100 new citizens."

There are so many problems with illegal immigration we can't begin to address the problems with legal immigration.

Can you imagine waking up to face that daily workload?

[clawrence3]

Enforcement costs, prices for consumer goods increase, bottom falls out of housing market, dollar plunges, global trade war, etc.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Where did I mention an RPG. I said that for a person to become an illegal immigrant, that person must cross the border.

I mentioned the RPG argument. But, lets see how you did with it. Lets go through the posting history, shall we?:

 

To: BigSkyFreeper

I'm sure after yesterday's RPG attack on Israel, he got the last laugh.

A wall doesn't have to 100% effective to have value. I doubt the person in Isreal climbed the wall anyway.

By your logic, if we lose one person in Afganistan then the mission was a failure.

1,364 posted on 04/06/2006 3:53:35 PM MDT by JeffAtlanta

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To: inquest

Unless you're saying that the terrorist who launched the RPG attack got over the wall himself

Why does he have to scale the wall to use his RPG?

1,411 posted on 04/06/2006 4:11:24 PM MDT by BigSkyFreeper (There is no alternative to the GOP except varying degrees of insanity.)

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To: BigSkyFreeper

Why does he have to scale the wall to use his RPG?

No, but a Mexican does have to successfully cross the border to become an illegal immigrant.

1,421 posted on 04/06/2006 4:15:08 PM MDT by JeffAtlanta

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I appears you clearly couldn't answer my question.  If you want to refrain from posting to me, knock yourself out. You were the one who said "A wall doesn't have to 100% effective to have value.". I said the wall would SLOW the flow, not STOP it. I don't deal with posters that can't handle a simple question with an honest answer, or refuse to read posts they reply to. You seem to be the purveyor of such debate skill.

I'm sure after yesterday's RPG attack on Israel, he got the last laugh.

A wall doesn't have to 100% effective to have value. I doubt the person in Isreal climbed the wall anyway.

By your logic, if we lose one person in Afganistan then the mission was a failure.

Unless you're saying that the terrorist who launched the RPG attack got over the wall himself

Why does he have to scale the wall to use his RPG?

Why does he have to scale the wall to use his RPG?

No, but a Mexican does have to successfully cross the border to become an illegal immigrant.

[clawrence3]

I believe the "problem" XJarhead was referring to is the massive illegal immigration population living underground in the U.S.

[sinkspur]

Out of all the rock-solid stupid arguments for eradicating our borders this one, i.e. that it will help the Republican Party's political fortunes, is perhaps the most incomprehensibly stupid, and that's saying something.

An argument I never made, BTW.

[inquest]

I didn't even know Congress could legislate to require a supermajority in overturning one of its own laws. Something seems very weird about that.