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.
We are talking about human beings here not weeds in a loan.
We are talking about human beings here not weeds in a lawn.
No one believes you, any more than they believe the President. You, and he, have no credibility on this issue.
Your major problem is that what you claim to be advocating is not what the Congress and the President are fixing to make into the law of the land. And yet, you have been here for hours attacking those who don’t like it.
It is the end of the G.O.P. if this POS bush amnesty bill is signed into law. I for one will never vote G.O.P. again. But hey, what do they care? They'll have 100 million new illiterate voters to keep them in power.
City of Los Angeles on Tactical Alert Status, no end of watch until further notice....
lots of 415 groups lining up for the anti LAPD / Amnesty Victory Lap
As I said, you folks who are obsessed with the illegal immigration issue and refuse any practical solution to solve this problem you are much less in numbers than what you think.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070517220656.d4w2ywk1&show_article=1
Senators and the White House clinched a deal Thursday on bringing 12 million illegal immigrants out of the shadows and securing US borders, which could enhance President George W. Bush’s legacy.
The pact would provide a path to permanent residency and citizenship for illegal workers, establish a merit-based points system for future immigrants and also establish a temporary worker program.
The bill, which emerged from exhaustive round-the-clock talks, and will be debated in the Senate next week, will provide 18,000 more border patrol agents, and scores of radar and camera towers on the US border with Mexico.
It is aimed at defusing a fiercely polarizing issue in American life and fast-tracking reform before American politics is consumed by partisan rancor in the run up to congressional and presidential elections in 2008.
“I really am anxious to sign a comprehensive immigration bill as soon as I possibly can. Today we took a good step toward that direction,” Bush said after lawmakers announced the sweeping agreement.
Earlier, Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy, flanked by key Republicans including presidential candidate John McCain, said the deal was true to America’s “humanity and our tradition of a nation of immigrants.”
“Politics is the art of the possible and the agreement we just reached is the best possible chance we will have in years to secure our borders, bring millions of people out of the shadows and into the sunshine of America.”
Wow, listening to the radio now, and they are calling all these people in DC filthy, lying, rat traitors.
They have no idea what they have unleashed.
From the 2006 (lst Qtr) INS/FBI Statistical Report on Undocumented Immigration:
Wow! Where in those numbers are those millions of law-abiding decent people who are only here to pursue the dream of feeding their families and living in American Bliss (and doing all those icky jobs Americans don’t want to do). I thought I heard that’s what they are all here for! (Sarcasim)
The new agreement that was reached among Republicans and Democrats is not exactly what I would like to happen but it is much better than what democrats wanted to do before which gives total and immediate way to citizenship to all illegal immigrants. Read the agreement, it is much better than most people here makes it to be.
Thanks for your diligent work on translating those Docs. I’m sure you will make a great citizen soon, and look forward to your success in that quest. I don’t agree with much of what you’ve said on this topic, but I can still respect you as a person. You are certainly NOT the problem we’re talking about, and it’s unfortunate that your personal case has become a sub topic of this discussion.
Thank you, I appreciate the nice comment :)
Amnesty stinks, no matter whether you put a bow around the cow pie or not.
Because he's a phony. Other late lamented freepers used to pull the same crap - he thinks claiming the moral high ground on both sides of the issue will immunize him against criticism.
He doesn't appear to know how easy that bit is to see through.
I agree...this is going to get interesting. I also don't think it's a clear Rep or Dem issue...I know plenty of "liberals" who are opposed to illegal immigration.
I hope that's a slumbering giant I hear...
lots of 415 groups lining up for the anti LAPD / Amnesty Victory Lap
Great. The Bill hasn't even been voted on in the House and I see we're already reaping the rewards...
He also mentioned that the President appears to have no qualms about sacrificing the rule of law and the Republican party for the North American Union.
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