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.
So, how long have you been a U.S. citizen?
Don’t blame me. I got out there and voted “R” in O6. Too bad some of my fellow R’s stayed home.
As for the coyotes, mules, merchants, etc., what does that have to do with families that are here? We could resolve that by building a steel wall across every inch of the border. We're going to deport these people, do nothing about the border, and others will replace them. Who are you kidding?
You are just another hate-America person.
No, not really. I love this country. I'm ashamed that we're ready to displace twelve million people who wanted a better life. I don't care what you say. The Jews were looked upon the same way people are viewing Mexicans now.
Have a nice day.
You are very wrong because businesses are fined daily for hiring illegal immigrants but still it is stopping them from hiring illegal immigrants.
America will go on. It may end up someplace else, some island resort? Or, it will be renamed MexAmerica.
It is not longer what it was. Comprende?
Defeated from within!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Surrender is always a “solution”.
Take lots of photos and video now - so your grandchildren can see the homeland you wouldn’t defend.
You are very wrong because businesses are fined daily for hiring illegal immigrants but still it is not stopping them from hiring illegal immigrants.
Well, that would be me, and all but a tiny handful of posters here.
Get your fingers out of your ears. Multiple posters have already given you the only wise answer: Roll up the red carpet, throw some employers in jail where they deserve to be, enforce the laws, and start the ball rolling south.
Hey, asshat, you don't know what you're talking about. I'll put up my Republican Party credentials against yours any day of the week. Bring it on, you open borders bozo.
“I have never been so disappointed in our government as I am on this sad day.”
Ditto that my FRiend!!
McCain and the other senators want this passed quickly because they know it is poison when people see what this is.
The republicans are still the stupid party with this.
This is their 2008 “tax promise broken”
Speed is the ally of the decievers.
The only solution to the illegals already in this country is enforcing the laws vigorously, cutting off social services, and making their life sufficiently difficult to make them want to return to their native countries. Proof of citizenship should be required before a person transfers title to vehicles or records a deed of trust on real estate. No illegal or their dependent children should receive education or welfare services on the taxpayers' money. If they do need publicly funded medical service, the Federal government should present a bill for said services to the nation of their origin, and if that nation refuses to pay, either end most favored nation trading status or seize assets owned by their government or their nationals in the United States. Impose a high tax, maybe 50%, on individual remittances to entities in foreign countries. Any state or local government that declares a sanctuary for illegals or forbids its police from enforcing immigration laws should be subject to 100% cutoff of Federal funding - law enforcement subsidies, highways, education. Any illegal who commits a crime, even a misdemeanor, should be immediately shipped back to his nation of origin. Employer sanctions are needed as well.
Finally, a real wall, not a virtual wall, must be built from Brownsville to San Diego. Until the wall is complete, the National Guard and regular military should patrol the borders, with rules of engagement that will permit effective enforcement and put the fear of God into wannabe illegals and the gangsters that smuggle them into the country.
If America is worth defending 8,000 miles away in Iraq, it is worth preserving at home. Unchecked immigration, legal or not, will transform the United States into at best a democratic socialist nation like most of Western Europe or at worst a Third World oligarchy.
How can we when the leader (Bush) has sold us out?
Honey, you couldn’t behave in Mexico the way Mexican’s behave here!
The Globalist movement has hijacked the party.
I will apply for my citizenship this year Spiff.
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