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.
Anti-business conservatives pipe-dreaming about deporting 10 mlns of (armed) people - it is something not seen before.
“The proposed agreement would allow illegal immigrants to come forward and obtain a “Z visa” and — after paying fees and a $5,000 fine “
Sure they will pay.......Suuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrre they will...............................................
R O T F L M A O
No Senior, not even Jorge El Segundo, el Primero Presidente de los Nuevos Estados Unidos del Norte.
(We have to learn the language of our new masters.)
“This is all about Social Security.”
Screw social security.
Are there more than 9 Senate pubbies signed on to this? If so, we are screwed, there is no way to stop it. It will get through the Senate, the House will agree, it will get signed by Jorge. This could actually put Jorge in a class that currently includes Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton as someone who has done serious long term damage to the American Republic. This may outweigh any good things you can say about him, as 12 million become 30 million in 10 years and 100 million in 25 years, and this part of the Anglosphere goes the way of Lebanon.
The key breakthrough came when negotiators struck a bargain on a so-called “point system” that would for the first time prioritize immigrants’ education and skill level over family connections in deciding how to award green cards.
Now if that isn’t unfair and getting the once over twice by the ACLU right now,, How discriminatory can you get?
They truly think we Americans are stupid.
Just one big detail - giving citizenship to everyone and their brother in Mexico.
Even if it does no good, I felt it was my duty to try.
I'm kicking myself for ever voting for BUSH. He can go to hell and can kiss my grits! I can't even look at him anymore.
sw
Lets send the illegals to Kennedys state and see how the workers there like being undercut by the illegals on wages.
While this is a disasterous day for the United States, hard working American citizens should not go down without a fight.
Instead of sitting the next election out, or arguing over who is the most electable Republican, we all need to unite around either Tancredo or Hunter.
Screw the media, the money and the conventional wisdom that keeps forcing these so-called “front-runners” down our throats. The voters must rise up and untie around the only two candidates willing to take a stand in defence of our country.
One can't scream that loud enough. Traitors one and all. Blackbird.
The Republican Party just committed suicide.
That's what I was thinking. Way a great way to encourage criminality. For what other crimes can we give amnesty? How about rape? Murder? Arson?
To hell with the Pubs.
The 3 million who don’t will blend in unnoticably.
Well now is a good of a time as ever to clean house. We have never had a conservative Marjory in the senate and the Rinos have undermined every move we have made. Toss them out!
It might help to find the real number of illegal and their family members that will fall under this new law.
So what is the real number, 30 million or 60 million? I want to know.
Wordcraft - good one. You should patent that.
Why bother? If I were in the Border Patrol, this would be my cue to call it an early day and go home. Obviously, the goverment is just paying them for show, and doesn't care if they catch a single, solitary person.
They're like carbon offsets. A fig leaf for the government, to placate conservatives. "Well, even though we're giving amnesty to 20 million undocumented aliens, we do have a robust border patrol agency. So it balances out."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.