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.
are you joking. H1bs and L1s are both being expanded. If you think working with guys wearing turbans as part of the dress code is unique you be mistaken. point set match, technology transfer is now complete and you will be lucky to survive cutting the lawn cause those jobs are now filled too
With the total collapse of this presidency, why would the Democrats want him removed? It must be hilarious in their eyes. They just sit and wait for HRC to “rescue” the country.
Live right, work hard, play by the rules.........nevermind.
I’m also getting tired of the unchecked corruption. Example: I would be all over the Feinstein deal. ALL OVER IT. What do the Republicans do? Nothing.
If you throw in with Kennedy, you will get a deal, but it is a deal with the devil.
Specter, McCain and Linseed were lost, but there was still hope for a few pubbies to stop this. If Kyl got on board it's over. No one will oppose this except for a few diehards. I will wait to hear from Kyl if he signed on to this, but if he did, I will be deeply disappointed, no matter what his reasoning.
You might be surprised to know that this is exactly the same discussion, of exactly the same tenor, with exactly the same passion as the several days immediately before 9/11. In fact I vaguely recall that it was still going on in the morning before the towers were hit.
Jorge Bush - whom I voted for twice - has been on a tear to get this bill through since his first months in office.
The overwhelming majority of citizens were against it then, just as they are against it now.
Here is one list of the proponents of this heinous legislation. DC lobbyists from top to bottom.
Not to worry...the ACLU will take of that little detail muy pronto.
35? I can only count to nine or ten, and I’m not sure about some of those.
Well I’m all for W’s impeachment now. RINOS are going to be out of power for a while.
Thank God. By response #315 there is a word of wisdom. Thank you jveritas. Nothing is ever accomplished by the people by just using emotions and not brains. We have to adjust to the fact that the illegals are with us and we have to have some method of control over them. While this Senate bill is not the best attempt, it is a beginning. We do need a beginning. Let’s just everyone calm down and say a prayer asking for God’s direction.
Hey, Larry Craig, where is my free stuff?
I knew I should have visited his Idaho office Monday.
Exactly.
It’s a nightmare.
You’re right. Hysterics will get people ignored. It’s time to think systematically of one’s strategy to counter this fiasco - as for me, I’m going to pull my DC reps letters of promise to oppose any amnesty deal and fax it back to their offices just to remind them of their words of opposition.
It’s hard to deny one’s word in writing and the potential of being exposed as a liar gives many politicians severe gastric disturbances.
Here’s one such letter:
Mr. X. Xxxxx Xxxxx
Address line 1
Address line 2
Dear Mr. Xxxxx:
Thank you for contacting me about your concerns on immigration and border security. As a member of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue and share your concerns.
I strongly support efforts to stop illegal immigration, improve our border control, and discourage illegal immigration in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are over 10 million illegal aliens within our borders, and 6.7 million of them have arrived in the last 10 years. Our current immigration system cannot handle the ever-growing demands placed upon it. Illegal immigrants drain resources and opportunities from legal citizens.
To address this growing problem, the U.S. House passed a series of bills in September 2006 to strengthen our borders and step up enforcement of our laws. These included H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act, which authorizes protection at the southern border with both a physical structure and surveillance technology along 700 miles of vulnerable land. H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act, establishes new criminal penalties for individuals involved in the construction of illegal tunnels across the U.S. border. H.R. 6094, the Community Protection Act, sets provisions for illegal immigrants to be detained pending their deportation, bar admission in the U.S. for gang members, and allow alien members of certain gangs to be automatically eligible for deportation. Finally, H.R. 6095, the Immigration Law Enforcement Act, would grant the authority to local law enforcement to enforce immigration if they choose to do so.
Most recently, I introduced the Scott Gardener Act along with my colleague, Representative Sue Myrick, which would ensure that illegal immigrants convicted of DUI are immediately deported. H.R. 1355 closes a dangerous loophole in our law which allows criminals to continue driving on our streets and threatening our citizens by driving under the influence. These individuals should not be in our country in the first place, and this bill would make sure that those who commit such a serious offense would be immediately deported. I am pleased to tell you that this bill has garnered bipartisan support and currently has 11 cosponsors.
In addition, I have joined with many of my colleagues in calling for congressional hearings on the case of Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean so that the public and the U.S. Congress may learn all of the details surrounding the agents’ arrest and conviction. Our border patrol agents are an integral part of America’s national security, and it is vitally important that they are treated fairly and justly. I recently signed a letter with strong bipartisan support stating my concerns on this issue.
Furthermore, I am concerned to learn that Bank of America has begun offering a credit card to individuals without a valid Social Security number or a credit history. I have been a strong supporter of identification verification and supported the REAL ID Act when it was passed in 2005. I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Immigratin Reform Caucus to craft legislation that adequately addresses information security.
In the 109th Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives considered the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act, H.R. 4437. This bill would have increased security at the international border and at ports of entry into the United States. It would have changed immigration law to increase penalties for immigration-related offenses, and would have allowed new grounds for the deportation of immigrants who commit certain crimes. The measure generally required all apprehended illegal aliens to be detained until removed or allowed to stay in the country. The measure also would have created a mandatory program under which all employers would verify employees’ work eligibility with the federal government. You will be pleased to know that I voted in favor of this legislation which passed by a vote of 239 to 182.
Representative Sue Myrick and I also offered the Myrick-McIntyre amendment that would have required the removal of an unauthorized alien on the first drunk-driving conviction, very similar to the recently introduced H.R. 1355. I supported this amendment which passed by a voice vote.
Thank you for contacting me about this important issue. I will continue to be a strong voice for you in Washington. If you would like to receive my periodic e-newsletter, visit my website at www.house.gov/mcintyre/IMA/issue.htm.
Sincerely,
Mike McIntyre
Member of Congress
This Internet Mail message is sent from an unattended mailbox. To contact Congressman McIntyre, please visit http://www.house.gov/writerep/
I honestly think Mike will do as he says.
Then how about Duncan Hunter going third party??? I am as fed up with the Republican Party as I ever will be!
RINOs will always be in style as long as people are too lazy or embarrassed to stand up for principle.
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