Bipartisan Effort to Draft Immigration Bill

NY Times ^ | 12/26/2006 | By RACHEL L. SWARNS

[Chesner]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25 — Counting on the support of the new Democratic majority in Congress, Democratic lawmakers and their Republican allies are working on measures that could place millions of illegal immigrants on a more direct path to citizenship than would a bill that the Senate passed in the spring.

The lawmakers are considering abandoning a requirement in the Senate bill that would compel several million illegal immigrants to leave the United States before becoming eligible to apply for citizenship.

The lawmakers are also considering denying financing for 700 miles of fencing along the border with Mexico, a law championed by Republicans that passed with significant Democratic support.

[oldbill]

as well as critical support from the Homeland Security Department.

House Republicans denied F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. . . . an architect of the House immigration approach, a senior position on any major committee in the new Congress.

The major lawmakers drafting the legislation include Senators Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, and John McCain, Republican of Arizona, along with Representatives Jeff Flake, Republican of Arizona,

Looks like these RINO morons have already conceded 2008 to the Democrats. The day this legislation is passed and a smiling President Bush signs it into law, those 12 million will become 30-40 million as all the illegals come out of hiding. And they will be swiftly made citizens without any checks, just like in 1996 in California.

The Dems will have made themselves into an overwhelming and permanent majority with the help of the stupid Republicans.

Rove the Genius? Right! McCain the President? right.

[TomGuy]

You sir are an idiot.

So, that is your level of debate capabilities -- by namecalling?

That is right out of the Clinton politics of personal destruction. See, you are closer to that mindset than you even realize.

Perhaps you should spend time on some personal introspection before you denigrate others through juvenile namecalling.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Short of filling the streets with protests, like the illegals did last Spring, what can we do to get the attention of DC? Frankly, I don't think they care.

I know what the dems get for this -- more voters -- but, I don't know what the President is getting from this and that is what bothers me more than anything.

[Arizona Carolyn]

What on earth is McCain thinking? Does he feel he's been annointed our candidate already? He sure isn't getting my vote.

[TomGuy]

Is like an automaker offering brand X and brand Y, both junk. Eventually, you get tired and go to a different automaker.

That is an good analogy. Interesting too, since Toyota has moved into the #2 position in the US, bumping Ford. That speaks volumes of Toyota and of Ford.

The Republicans failed to deliver on their promises. They got thrown out. Democracy works, even though some cannot stand the results of elections.

[Arizona Carolyn]

The GOP didn't lose because of immigration toughness, they lost because they have become Democrat-lite in the Senate. The GOP congress was heads above the GOP Senate.

[Arizona Carolyn]

You ask the $64K question and one that nags at me.

[elpinta]

As a few subtle points that few people are aware of, unless they are 'legal' and from a different era:

Immigrants used to (used to) have to get:

- A certificate of 'good conduct' from their former land, so no felons could immigrate.

- A medical exam, including full x-rays, which had to be approved by a US-certified doctor, so no communicable diseases would be brought into the country.

- A visa (what a concept!!!), so a legal entry could start the clock towards citizenship after 5 years.

So folks, for those that consider JUST legal immigration status a privilege (never mind eventual citizenship), and for those that have endured YEARS of legalese and dealing with the former INS, this current situation is an incredible slap in the face and a disgrace to the citizens of this country that for generations have made up, and welcomed, legal immigrants.

[Arizona Carolyn]

He wants it and seems to be spearheading it... just read Tony Snow's comments on November 8th, the glee was there that they could now pass immigration reform.

[traditional1]

"Glad to see my emails to my representative have paid off. Yes Sessions does seem to be one of the few in the country to hold his ground. Shelby ain't too bad either"

Alabama is about the ONLY state I can think of that has TWO Conservative Senators.....congrats!

[Arizona Carolyn]

I don't know how you voted on November 7th, but I was smart enough not to vote for anything that started with a D, I, C, etc... they were all R's.

[oldbill]

. . . you state: We have ourselves to thank for this my friend

The RINOs that run the Senate (or used to) and the President were told by the rank-and-file voters (Republican and Reagan Democrats) "don't go there" on this immigration nonsense. They (Bush, Rove, Mehlman, McCain, Flake, etc.) told those voters to go to hell.

Your finger is pointing the wrong way, my friend. Blame those clowns, the Republican elites, and those who supported them just because they said they were Republican for the predicament they find themselves in.

These elites love having these illegals do the lawns in their gated communities on the cheap. Their children and grandchildren will be doing the lawns of the illegals grandchildren, after they reach the working majority (cf. Los Angeles) and control the economy and turn America into a third world Venezuela, Mexico or Argentina, with like welfare and corruption.

[traditional1]

Well, we got rid of RINO Dewhiner, but, got a worse socialist than Dennis Kucinich in Sherrod Brown. The "other" senator we have is another RINO, Voinovich, who will probably leave the Senate in '08 (maybe by "retiring", 'cause he sure won't win an election here).

[Arizona Carolyn]

The elite politicians in this country want to bring Mexican-style government and class-system to the USA. Guess they like being the haves with a lot of poor, uneducated, have-nots to do their bidding... right now with the exception of Sessions, Kyl, etc., there is no difference between the GOP and the DEM.

[Arizona Carolyn]

But,isn't Bob Riley in favor of Amnesty?

[elpinta]

"...they like being the haves with a lot of poor, uneducated, have-nots..."

Surely they would like that, BUT the reality is the the US is full of wealthy, educated, and un-socialist-leaning people (so far), so this fight will outlast most of us.

[Arizona Carolyn]

If Jeff Flake is pushing this it means my rep, Trent Franks, will vote for Amnesty.... he seems to do whatever Flake tells him to do.

[traditional1]

Who's Bob Reily?????

[Arizona Carolyn]

Robert (Bob) Riley is the Governor of Alabama.