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 ...
Try telling those agents that enforcement has been more than a joke. They've been fighting a losing battle with very little support in Washington.
there has been a 66% increase in Border Patrol funding since Bush took office
You mean since 9/11. And it's about time, only 15 years too late. In the meantime, the amnesty ruse accomplished its goal of encouraging ever more illegal immigration. The supporters of the amnesty had no intention of trying to get a handle on it. And yet here you claim that it wasn't a big con game.
And even at this stage, we've got a long way to go before we can say we're making a serious effort to secure the border.
tell you what: ban abortions and even I will agree to your Berlin Wall in 18 years.
Another one on whom the distinction between legal and illegal is completely lost. So typical.
I doubt even 666% increase enforcement would be enough for you. Also, 9/11 happened less than eight months after Bush took office, so I am only reporting to you the stats as released by the White House. And, I understand the distinction between illegal immigration and legal immigration, thank you very much.
Is that supposed to be an argument or something?
And, I understand the distinction between illegal immigration and legal immigration, thank you very much.
Then you wouldn't have made your "abortion" comment.
No - it's just that I promised not to ask questions today, so I can't ask you if that's the case or not ; )
That's good to know - at least you are being reasonable about it : )
Well, as I said, I was just in high school at the time, so I had other things on my mind. I am concerned that you think there were only "thousands" of immigrants who got amnesty back then, when I think someone posted on a different thread there were millions.
No one anywhere has to wait 28 years. In fact, no one anywhere has to wait half that time.
Resorting to lies proves you've lost the argument.
Where did I say that? I agree that it was in the millions.
Wow! And, here, I thought you were so reasonable during the Dubai ports fiasco too. GarySFC on another thread is the one "lying" then, not me - he said that's how long it was taking his wife's relative on another thread.
I could care less what someone else said on another thread. You lied on this thread.
Because we have been sold down the river again and again and again. But, the worm will turn eventually and these so called elected leaders will pay the price of their graft and greed along with those that helped them.
LOL - at worst, I repeated someone else's lie. Could you clear this up for us, Gary - who was it that was taking 28 years to immigrate legally?
It's very sad our so called leaders have no common sense and very little compassion for their own country and people. When we the people get a hold on the graft; this will stop. If we withhold our money; they can not operate. Look we all know they are stealing. It's really time now to get them to stop.
O.K. - maybe it was someone else who said "thousands".
Oh, so boo-hoo you don't want them to have to wait like everyone else? Why? Why should Mexicans get expedited US citizenship over anyone else?
The line is the line. Whether you are Mexican, Canadian, Russian, Chinese, whatever - get in line. No one should get to go around to the front.
I don't mind illegal aliens getting in the back of the line - no one should be waiting 28 years for U.S. citizenship though.
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