Posted on 05/17/2007 10:16:31 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of senators reached agreement with the White House Thursday on an immigration overhaul to grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. and fortify the border against new ones.
One of the key negotiators, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said he expects President Bush to endorse it.
The deal came after weeks of painstaking closed-door negotiations that brought the most liberal Democrats and the most conservative Republicans together with Bush's Cabinet officers to produce a highly complex measure that carries heavy political consequences.
It set the stage for what promises to be a bruising battle next week in the Senate on one of Bush's top non-war priorities.
This is a breaking news update. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP) Republican and Democratic senators huddled Thursday trying to close in on an immigration compromise to grant quick legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants while fortifying U.S. borders against new ones.
A group of lawmakers that has been haggling over the terms of agreement for weeks were reviewing language negotiated Wednesday night in efforts to nail down a deal. Among the final sticking points was a stubborn dispute over how much family ties count toward green cards under a new "point system." The plan prioritizes advanced skills and education levels for future immigrants.
Two of the lead negotiators, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Lindsey Graham (news, bio, voting record), R-S.C., booked time for Thursday afternoon in the Senate's radio-TV gallery for an announcement.
But Kennedy said some were hanging back as an agreement inched closer.
"There are just some people who don't want to close on this. There comes a time in every negotiation where people have to close," Kennedy said. "Today is it."
Kennedy said Thursday was likely the last chance for a compromise before senators scattered for a three-day weekend.
"The immigration reform legislation has come to a boiling point," Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., said just before going into Thursday's meeting. "We've tried to come to a consensus and I think we are very, very close, but every time we grasp it, it eludes a final resolution."
If no deal emerged, Senate Democrats were to vote Monday evening to bring up an immigration measure that passed last year over the objections of most Republicans, who have said they will block it. That would be a highly partisan start to the immigration debate, which divides the two parties and exposes fissures within their ranks.
Even with a bipartisan agreement, the immigration debate could easily devolve into a free-for-all in the unruly Senate.
Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., has said he wants to complete a bill before Memorial Day, and President Bush says he wants to sign one by summer's end.
I hate it when a thread gets highjacked.
That’s it for me.
I don’t think anyone here’s a xenophobe, Chez, it’s just that conservatives prefer a society that respect law and order. We don’t mind the immagrants being here. We just want them to be here legally.
They should go home and come back in the front door, if they want to come back.
It will make all the difference in the War on Terror (just to name one).
I believe I am right that the word “racist” was not coined until 1968, and it was first used to refer to the campaign of former AL Governor George C. Wallace.
There are many other law and order issues facing this country, but I don’t see the overreaction like I do with immigration. People need to calm down and start thinking.
I am very sure that a good number of people on this forum are more angry and hate filled toward President Bush and Jose the illegal immigrant than toward Osama Bin Laden and Mahomoud the islamic terrorist.
FWIW, I don't buy that. I think a third party would draw from both parties. Just look at the mayoral primary election in Hazleton, PA. Some issues transcend party.
Eventually, you guys will realize that you are much less in numbers than what you think, there are many of you on FR but in the real world, you are a very tiny minority. You guys could not even help JD Hayworth get re-elected in Arizona where according to you guys the vast majority of folks there has had illegal immigration as their number one priority. You guys were, are, and will remain wrong beyond belief.
I’m calm, and I’m thinking...Now deport their asses NOW!
There was a reference to Al Sharpton. What else was I supposed to think?
I believe he gave up on GWB after the ‘06 elections.
I have not heard him today, nor have I been to his web site yet, but I saw posted that he sees this as a disater for the Republician Party. A complete disater and gives the ‘08 election to the dims.
I have a 1966 dictionary that has “racist” in it. I don’t think the word was used in politics until Wallace, but I stand corrected. The original meaning meant one who considers his race superior to others.
Wait a minute. Are you saying that the government should know about millions of people commiting a crime against the United States and just “calm down”?
"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which." - George Orwell
Rush is wrong.
So, do you Rush retiring in disgust and going into exile to enjoy his millions?
Preach it, brother!!!!!
Sigh. Do you know what the phrase 'obscure charge' means?
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