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.
BOHICA.
}:-)4
OUR OWN GOVERMENT IS MORE OF AN ENEMY TO US THAN ALL OF THE ISLAMIC TERRORISTS GROUPS COMBINED!!!!!!
The 'fat bast*rd' holds the "George W. Bush Excellence in Governing award".
My thought exactly every time I'd hear a RINO talk about Bush's plan - 'we'd better take what we can get or the democrats will do worse'.
ANY legitimization of the illegals currently here IS the worst possible outcome - it cannot possibly be worse.
“Bush has simply lost the election for us in ‘08. “
Bush’s continued push on immigration reform just PRIOR to ‘06, in what he KNEW was a critical election year, is what lost us both the House and the Senate!
I have a serious question; In every one of these bills, we hear how most of the millions already here would get some sort of legal status. We never hear what happens to those amongst those millions who do not meet the qualifications to become legal. so, if 9 million get legal status, what happens to the 3 million who don’t?
“We DO NOT enforce the current immigration laws...who’s going to enforce these?”
N O B O D Y
Obviously this sets up a system where illegal aliens have a superior position in line for immigration than legal applicants.
Don't need to read the rest of it to know that it is an agreement which is unjust, un-american, anti-Asian, and designed to foment unreast, rebellion and open warfare in America.
Did Saddam Hussein's paymaster buy all these pukes or what?
And the Democrats are going to do any better? That’s what doesn’t make sense to me.
sw
Family ties count 100 percent. Jose - who will be able to stay and get his visa - may now bring his wife and four children to the U.S., also with visas.
Some time in the way distant future there will be a point system.
But not until we have a net migration of 15 to 30 million Mexicans and Salvadoreans.
“Bush’s continued push on immigration reform just PRIOR to ‘06, in what he KNEW was a critical election year, is what lost us both the House and the Senate!”
Correct! It wasn’t the war, it was illegal immigration !!!!
“Does anyone have info on which ones voted yes?
Carolyn”
Yes, we need names. We will, at least know which Congressman to spit on when they walk down the street.
Just don’t say Jorge
“An immediate amnesty for nearly all 12-20 million “
That assumes that 12-20 is right. I have no idea but some folks have estimated 30+ million
I called John Cornyn’s (TX) office. They said they have gotten lots of calls in opposition to the amnesty bill, and Cornyn is also against it. They have not done a vote in the senate. I hope for a filibuster or a threat thereof to torpedo this abomination.
“OUR OWN GOVERMENT IS MORE OF AN ENEMY TO US THAN ALL OF THE ISLAMIC TERRORISTS GROUPS COMBINED!!!!!!”
Damn straight.
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