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 ...
I would like to join also. What do I need to do?
Support our Minutemen Patriots!
Be Ever Vigilant!
It's all about cheap labor. That's the bottom line for Bush and company.
My prediction: Ten million more illegals flooding across the unsecured border in the next few years.
And bankruptcy for California and other border states.
This is from the preamble of the Constitution Party platform:
Preamble
The Constitution Party gratefully acknowledges the blessing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the Universe and of these United States. We hereby appeal to Him for mercy, aid, comfort, guidance and the protection of His Providence as we work to restore and preserve these United States.
This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been and are afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.
This from me:
I am all in favor of a proud and unwavering fealty to G-d in the same way expressed by the Declaration of Independence and in many other founding documents and speeches. I a quite uncomfortable with the very specific reference to the Christian saviour as it is a very parochial reference that must, perforce leave me and many Jewish people and people of other religions out of the picture.
I will not switch to this party, even though I agree with many of its positions. Any suggestions about something similar as an alternative, even if it exists as a protest movement against the Republican party to bring it back to its senses?
Deport all criminal invaders, or clean house in D.C.!!!!
This is just surrender on the installment plan.
Amnesty now for 7 million more illegals.
The border control measures will be authorized but never appropriated.
Tancredo for President -- before it's too late!
Just put in the wall/fence/moat and guards that actually get to use REAL guns. Whatever it takes. I feel my blood pressure has been going up over this issue.
BTTT
Roger that!!!
And the usual punishment for breaking this law is basically a free meal and a free ride back across the border. These "lawbreakers" face no real punishment at any time anyway so something needed to be done to get some control over this issue. I applaud our President for taking on this tough issue which wins him no brownie points from anyone just like he tried to do with Social Security.
That is called leadership and I for one am proud to have voted him into office.
Which must make those who spent all their time and money to come here legally just jump up and cheer. /sarc
Add salt
How does a law breaker prove how long they've been in the US anyway?
Without a doubt.
Ask the illegal themselves? Ask the employers who have been employing them illegally to provide records?
LOL!
Fine, but how do you prove it? They're already here illegally, do you think they'll tell the truth about how long they've been here?
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