A Scottish lawyer, a drunken Irishman, and a former candidate for President of the United States.
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.
It is really shocking how the majority of freepers cannot see the simple fact that it is impossible to deport 12 million immigrants. How many law enforcement people required to do so? Are we going to send 500 police to a compound housing illegal immigrants and their families kick the doors of apartment and pull out people and put them in buses? Are the police going to raid the malls and the restaurants and arrest the illegal immigrants? How many informants we need to tell us about the location of illegal immigrants? To do this America will have to become a POLICE STATE and this will never happen in America despite the delusions of many on our side. The national backlash against the conservatives and anyone who endorse such a thing will be worst than anything we can imagine.
jv - I thought I was the only one who was in the minority on this one until I read some of your posts.
I suppose most Americans assumed that the government would do basic functions such as protecting our borders. Is it really so hard to understand why such a thing would be assumed of our government?
I just called the GOP, told them to take my name off their rolls. And now I am thinking of changing party registration.
It's only "impossible" in the peabrains of people like you, John McCain, Arlen Specter and Teddy Kennedy.
It is simple...Jail the employers, the leadership in our schools, medical community, etc that knowingly deals with illegals. Once the illegals are forced, they will have no choice to leave.
They understand one thing only...money.
Democrats may as well disband their party. They're in for some lean times ahead.
What's that phone number...I want to call and do the same.
Exactly. They're all here because the government is PURPOSEFULLY not enforcing immigration laws, and is actually providing incentives for illegals to come here.
If we all went this week to our Registrar of Voters and changed our Party affiliation from Republican to Undeclared or Non partisan do you think anyone would even notice?
Your hysterical hyperbole sounds like it came straight out of the mouth of the most liberal Democrat. Uphold the rule of law. Enforce the law. The law says that the penalty for being in this country illegal begins with deportation. Removing benefits that entice illegal aliens and making it impossible for them to get a job because the laws are being vigorously enforced against their lawbreaking employers will cause them to have no other choice but to leave on their own.
When you find that you're on the side of Pelosi and Kennedy, you really need to examine where you've gone wrong.
There are few us of us, but for sure we are a minority. This will be very difficult times for people like us on FR. Get used to hear “Bush is a traitor” and “Impeach Bush” all the time now. It is really sad.
“it is impossible to deport 12 million immigrants”
Bullshit!
The '86 legislation paid off big time for the Rats at the ballot box (especially here in California). I guess the GOP leadership decided that they weren't losing enough elections already.
Mark my words: if this legislation is actually enacted into law the GOP will wind up going the way of the Whigs.
I like your passion. I am with you.
A Scottish lawyer, a drunken Irishman, and a former candidate for President of the United States.
Hey, I’m not the one who buys the assimilation lie regarding the millions of illiterates from Latin America.
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