Read the facts, and weep:
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.
Sorry if this has been answered, but do they really get to bring in their families from Mexico as well??
A RINO, a Drunk Swimmah, and a Nutcase...
Enforcement actions against employers who hire illegal aliens fell to almost zero under this administration. Shoot, Mr. Bush has even repeatedly expressed his sympathy for these employers in his speeches.
Who exactly do you think you're fooling?
I want them deported, not killed.
In 2004, there was a total of only 4 businessess even threatened to be fined by the FedGov for hiring illegal aliens. The number has improved a little, but your statement is easily a lie. Sanctions against employers of illegal aliens have been pretty much the lowest priority of the Bush Administration.
“We DO NOT enforce the current immigration laws...who’s going to enforce these?”.....
NO ONE! Game, set, match. Move on, Comprende?
BTW, Whites will be the minority in no time. We’re Going Global.
Read the many posts on this forum about the fining of employers who hires illegal immigrants and the raids that the law enforcements conducted against these employers places.
America is very evenly divided. A 2% change in voting patterns can often change an election. There are many hardcore committed Ds and Rs, but there is also a mush middle.
What happened in the last eletion is the press when 100% negative on the R's and moved the mushiest part of the mushy middle to the D column. That 2% - who don't know what they think or have a political philosophy - do watch Good Morning America or listen to CNN at night.
To win most elections you need to deliver your base AND get a big percent of that mushy middle to go for you. Rove & the RNC won two elections with increasing the base but not really appealing to the middle. We got lucky with horrible candidates in Gore and Kerry, and a surge in latent patriotism around 9/11 in 2004.
In 2006 the chickens came home to roost. If the GOP wants to win the DO need to secure their base (if they have one left after this) but they also need to forcefully message to the Good Morning America crowd, some simple easy to digest message. Last time the D's used "culture of corruption" and won.
Sadly, it really is that simple.
Should treat businesses that hire illegals the way drug dealers are dealt with. Asset forfeiture.
Never thought I’d say it but a message needs to be sent to the politicians as well. Impeach Jorge Arbusto. Cheney can continue the war effort.
This is not necessarily my solution, but I can tell you that if you cut off the benefits, many illegals will return to their homeland of their own accord. The same way they came here.
My problem is I am put off by politicians who choose an alternate path because they believe we are unable to deport illegals. We might as well legalize drugs because we have been unable to stop their importation as well.
If this country chose to deport 12 million or 20 million illegals, it could to it. It would not be easy, but it could be done. What this country should not do is be forced into an alternative solution because of the perception that deportation is not possible. The country should choose an alternate course only if it is deemed better on its own merit.
And no one has explained to me why remaining here should in any way be linked to citizenship. If these folks are needed by business or agriculture, then you issue a temporary visa for as long as they are needed. To see these politicians offer citizenship under these conditions makes me sick.
Exactly! Fine the greedy employers, and take away all the welfare (especially the free primary health care via the emergency room), and eventually they’ll stop coming.
What is shocking is how many people fail to realize that the majority of these people will go home if you enforce the existing laws against them being here and working (attrition). You won't have to go and "round up" all of them. If the government at all levels wanted to enforce the laws, believe me, the vast majority of them would be gone. Just like when we utter the word "amnesty", millions more of them suddenly show up. And 12 million is a vast understatement of the number of illegals that are here. If it's impossible to enforce borders, I guess we should all just get over this quaint and archaic idea of having a "country" then.
If it works it would have been done on much larger scale. Why do you think the government is not fining these employers relentlessly?
Fixed it for ya, jv. Ever heard the old saying, "I can't, never will."? Thank God our American ancestors didn't taken this attitude or this country would never have become the greatest nation in the world. Now, because of this lazy apathetic attitude assumed by so many of its citizens, it's on the brink of turning the corner to becoming another 3rd world balkanized cr@&hole.
BS, it’s happening here in Georgia, my husband is in the constructin business. Let’s see, who should I believe? You in Mass. or my husband on the job sites in Atlanta?
I keep getting a time out on the Senate website.
Read the facts, and weep:
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.