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.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

I have worked to prosecute criminals and defend criminals in the judicial system. Everyone feels good about saying lock 'em up and throw away the key. But no one has any idea of how many beds it would take to house them. So, many prosecutors suspend sentences, put criminals on probation and if they screw up put them in jail. For most misdemeanor offenders it is a workable carrot and stick approach.

If you want to have a deterrent to bad behavior, your deterrent needs to be credible. The Ruskies deterred their behavior because they thought Reagan would nuke 'em. If illegals hear someone in the US say that we were going to arrest all illegals they would laugh it off. After all, life in a US jail is a hell of alot better than in a Mexican hell hole.

try again.

[Spiff]

No Amnesty!
No Rewards!

Call Congress:

(888)355-3588
(877)762-8762

[sissyjane]

Already asked that question, and I've yet to get a cogent explanation from that poster.

Good Luck!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"It also looks like the hardcore malcontents are out to cripple the service, agriculture, and real estate sectors of our economy. Tell you what, let's have congress crack down on tipped employees while we are at it. And imprison any American that enables them to evade taxes on those tips by giving them CASH! Your barber, hairstylist, cabdriver, wait-staff, busboy, grocery help, cab driver, hotel staff, skycap, full service attendant, bartender, and gaming staff could all be illegal and sponging off of government resources. And my posting record shows anything but a Bush-bot."

Yes, uphold the laws of the land!

I have no problem with your idea!

And if you check my FR Profile page
you'll see I'm hardly a
"hardcore malcontent"

[Bikers4Bush]

If you are inclinded to hold your nose and vote for the lesser of two evils be my guest.

There are many of us who are tired of that approach and who now understand that tactic has failed us.

Therefore we'll go in the direction of gutting the rotten wood out and rebuilding with those who will not sell us out.

[JeffAtlanta]

So, I have no reason to vote this fall. A fall in which base turnout determines outcome of mid-terms.

Vote, but vote for a third party. That way, at least your dissatisfaction can be counted. Otherwise, the democrat-lite GOP will just blame low voter turnout on upsetting hispanics.

[Dane]

Aside from the minor point that we "malcontents" want our laws enforced and our borders secure, are you seriously arguing that low-wage, illiterate non-English-speaking illegals are a net benefit to the United States?

You do know that the people who came through Ellis Island weren't exactly Rockefellers.

[george wythe]

The politicians think that voters are not sophicated enough to understand immigration matters.

The voters will confirm the politicians' opinion in November when they elect or re-elect the same kind of politicians.

[teawithmisswilliams]

Either every American has to register with local police (as in that bastion of freedom known as Russia), or congress legislates a national clearinghouse and task force for every municipal code in the US. Tell you what, you go experience it firsthand in europe (I have) for 3 or 4 years; then get back with me.

Like you, I actually prefer to live in the United States. Enforcing our laws doesn't require any of the nonsense you claim will result.

[EternalVigilance]

I would think any bill that lands on Bush's desk containing amnesty of any sort he would use the veto pen for the first time. Here's why. Bush could say "here, I vetoed a bill containing amnesty" and would be seen as a man of his word thus elevating his stature.

Surely, you jest.

[Binghamton_native]

To paraphrase the battle cry of the 1992 LA demonstrators, NO BORDER SECURITY, NO ARRANGEMENT FOR THOSE HERE NOW!

[Minus_The_Bear]

People who came through Ellis wanted to be Americans. PERIOD.

[kenboy]

Amnesty is a pardon for committing a crime. Not a good way for a government to do business or do discourage future crime.

I disagree. Tax amnesties, for instance, seem to generally be a rather effective way for governments to do business. This particular amnesty may be a problem, but in general, it's a valueable and useful tool.

[samcgwire]

Oh, please don't get me started on the "LOST" 'treaty'.

[reagandemo]

So let me get this straight. Since you think the task of bringing them to justice is so daunting we should just let them slide. Spoken by a true defense attorney.

[inquest]

[If any illegal violates any (other) law, he's deported. Up to and including traffic laws.]

Great. Either every American has to register with local police (as in that bastion of freedom known as Russia), or congress legislates a national clearinghouse and task force for every municipal code in the US.

Or, the federal immigration authorities simply do their job when they get called by a local police department saying they have an illegal.

Yet another option would be for Congress to clear the way for state and municipal authorities themselves to take action against illegals as they see fit.

[zook]

Sounds like a good deal. Glad we have this out of the way.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>Is it not disturbing that the GOP are having to resort to a filibuster when they control the Senate?

No. Its politics.

[Serenissima Venezia]

President "Better than Kerry"

That sums it up. Very good. That's even better than "Our first Mexican President".

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Tell Waffling RINO's : No Amnesty!
http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=13155

Wrong Way Whino's (RINO's)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1607789/posts?page=475#475