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.
This is the e-mail I just sent him:
Senator Chambliss,
Do you read your own website? 58% of Georgians want something done about illegal immigration!! Why do you think that is? Could it be because our neighborhoods are being trashed? Our kids are being cheated academically? Our kids are having to go to middle and high school with gangbangers?
Let’s see, I as an American citizen am raised to respect and follow all of our laws no matter what I think of them. Yet you will stand before the people of this country and legalize immigrants that are criminals! I would bet my life that of the 20 million you are planning on legalizing, 95% of them could not pass the strict criteria that the immigrants waiting for years to come here legally have to!
All of you have lost all of my respect. I will work feverishly to see you lose your senate seat. You and your buddies have sold us out. We have our soldiers and marines off fighting a war and you all just surrendered our country with a sign of a pen. Thanks alot. I fear my goverment more than I fear any Islamic terrorist.
Katie Couric, Brian Williams, and the ABC man (I never watch.)
North Carolina is overflowing with illegals. Some are good hard working folks, but they are illegal. Many, more than any politician wants to acknowledge, are drug dealers, gang members, drunk drivers, repeat offenders. I could go on. They will be lumped into this “amnesty” because our government is unable to enforce the laws we have now. And they will be just as unable to enforce the new ones they make.
1. Greatly increase the border security to stop the flood of illegal immigrant.
2. Grant temporary working status for the illegal immigrants that need to be renewed every 2 years with a fine. The temporary workers must no have access to any welfare program and must no obtain US citizenship in any way, that will be the ulimate penalty they should pay for coming here illegaly. May be the best they can obtain is a Permanent Residence status (Green Card) after they have been law abiding temporary workers for 10 years. Trust me, the vast majoirty of illegal immigrants just want to work here and be able to travel back and forth from the US to their home country in a legal way and not afraid to be deported, they are not seeking US citizenship.
The much maligned Pat Buchanan calls them “two wings of the same bird of prey.”
Direct numbers to specific offices:
Senator Jon Kyl 202-224-4521
Senator Lindsey Graham 202-224-5972
Senator Harry Reid 202-224-3542
Senator McConnell 202-224-2541
Senator Ted Kennedy 202-224-4543
Senator Arlen Specter 202-224-4254
OMG, I THINK I’M HAVING A STROKE!!!!! CHAMBLISS AND ISAKSON!!!!! ISAKSON’S OFFICE TOLD ME THIS MORNING HE WAS SITTING THIS ONE OUT!!! I NEED A VALIUM!!
Stupid or intentional? Wouldn't be the first time a Bush handed the White House to a Clinton.
....And it has to be passed quickly??
Whatever for?
These folks really take us for idiots.
The Republican party will split on this. Guarantee... All of a sudden Hillary looks like she will be the President in 2008.
This is an assault on our borders, language and culture.
Please Bush-Bots... Tell me why this is a brilliant Stratagy.
I’ll vote for Hillary twice before that little SOB Johnny McLame Rino AZ.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., center, accompanied by Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., left, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, discusses immigration reform legislation during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 17, 2007. . (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
These senators know they have the campaign cash and the name ID, and as Lincoln once said, “You can’t beat somebody with nobody.” The American people don’t understand.
Right we have been sold out.
Good post
Well said my friend and very true..
How very pathetic.
I’m no troll, I don’t hate Bush, and I’ve been here since the very beginning.... I think this bill is a complete and total disaster and that we should deport every last illegal — the easy way by cuting off all government services to them and their children: no schools, no welfare, no emergency rooms and permanent deportation (with a marking that cannot be erased) to any who are caught. If you do that, and give them 90 days to leave, before it goes into effect, a large number would leave. Combine with stiff employer sanctions: mandatory jail time if you hire an illegal. If there were no work for the illegals, they would leave pretty soon.
Yeah and Bush is right behind him helping him out.
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