Deal struck on immigration bill (in the Senate, now over to the House for action)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 5/17/07 | Julie Hirschfeld Davis - ap

[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.

[TheRiverNile]

“35? I can only count to nine or ten, and I’m not sure about some of those.”

Not to mention...it takes 41 to keep a fillibuster going in the face of a motion to invoke cloture. No way this thing gets successfully fillibustered.

[From One - Many]

....every job will be competed for in the open market place.....can’t prove it to you now, but watch the next 5 years, Everyone with any education is betting the farm on this one, and betting they can’t touch me. What if you lose?

[Theodore R.]

RINOs will always be in style as long as people are too lazy or embarrassed to stand up for principle.

[PGalt]

Thanks for the ping. BTTT!

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Well, let’s be fair — he’s trying to do some good for the MO GOP and who else did he have to work for — Rudy or John — I think not. He wasn’t going to throw his hat in on the second tier — and, frankly, I don’t see him as a Fred Thompson guy — as much as I am, at any rate. Fred needs to get it in gear or let me down gently, because if I don’t have Fred, I’ll be joining the rest of my family and working for Romney, too.

I darned sure won’t be sitting this election out in protest. Those who do are simply damning me to the kind of government they deserve.

[Cacique]

btt

STOP AMNESTY NOW!! WE CAN DO IT!!

[dmartin]

This will become the NUMBER ONE issue in 2008. Which candidate will jump on it? By opposing amnesty and open borders we can attract union members, blue collar workers, and minorities over to our side if the issue is properly framed.

I have to ask which 'side' are you referring to? It seems both sides of the aisle in Washington are jumping on board for this. In my opinion we do not have a side anymore.

[stevie_d_64]

You are correct, they believe we are stupid...

But as far as 11/2008 goes...You know thats a lost cause...Yer just being funny again...I know you!!! hehehe

WH, Senate and Congress are going to be lost and the margin may be flirting with being unable to even vote out a Veto the Hillary puts out...

Sorry to be such a negative nancy on all of this...But I predicted this would happen by this summer...

I hate it when I’m right...

This time I actually hope I am eventually wrong...I really want to be wrong...So bad, it hurts...

[From One - Many]

oh geez, I better suck on a bullet
I wouldn't advise that....

[jveritas]

And there are hundreds of thousands of small businesses not mentioned in your list that hire illegal immigrants.

The illegal immigration solution should be as follow:

Greatly enforce the borders.

Grant "temporary" working status to illegal immigrant here who have not committed any felony beside being here illegally. The working status should have an initial fee of $ 5,000 and renew fee of $ 1,000 each 2 years. No welfare and social benefit should be granted to these temporary worker at any condition. None of the illegal immigrants should have the right for US citizenship in any way, shape, or form.

The above is the most efficient and most practical solution.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

The problem is the democrats have the votes in the House if they really want to ram something through. They can even stick a massive amnesty as an amendment on a bill then work it out with the Senate later. We are really going to have to fight hard to see that doesn’t happen.

[rwfromkansas]

Certainly a powerful piece.

Around here, at least......for now.....immigrants are assimilating. Not necessarily the parents, but the children are assimilated.

You have to keep in mind assimilation is a long process; it takes several generations.

Now, if there are areas where the children are not assimilating, that is VERY WORRISOME and sets off alarm bells.

[EternalVigilance]

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.

I've personally added a new litmus test for President. If any candidate says the word "bipartisan" in a favorable tone, he's excluded from any consideration of any kind.

[doug from upland]

The Republican Party will now die a painful death. Welcome Pres. Hillary.

[truthkeeper]

If this is what I get from Republicans, I have no use for them. I’m a conservative first

I was just listening to Al Rantel (KABC radio, Los Angeles), a life-long Republican. He was saying if this travesty goes through he's dumping his party affiliation and becoming a registered Independent.

I suspect a few may be following suit.

[rwfromkansas]

Perhaps I am trying to not think about such a possibility, but it is hard to envision that. Nevertheless, I will admit we really do not know what will happen until it does.

It is a somewhat scary prospect even though most of the people coming from Mexico at present are not taking well-educated positions.

[truthkeeper]

by the time the fence goes up the only thing it will accomplish is to keep us in

Snake Pliskin, where are you when we need you??

[varon]

If this passes, this will be the end of the Republican Party.

Perhaps it is a high price to pay but destroying the Republican Party would be worth it. Now, on to destroying the Democrats next! Return the power to the people!!!

[From One - Many]

just when one says it can't happen to me....
look out, it will happen........

[Theodore R.]

Well, in Texas one cannot register “independent”. All he can do is sit out primaries, and he is then nominally an “unaffiliated voter”. But there are no official “independents” in TX.