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.
Yep. They’re selling our precious heritage, and the lives and liberty of our posterity, for a bowl of soup.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2007
NCLR APPLAUDS LAUNCH OF SENATE IMMIGRATION DEBATE
Washington, DC –The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., today acknowledged the hard work of a bipartisan team of senators for their role in crafting a compromise immigration bill which will proceed to the Senate floor this week.
"Successful immigration reform cannot happen unless it includes a path to citizenship for immigrants who are living, working, and contributing to their communities in the United States. This proposal contains this crucial element, and this debate is the first step", said Janet MurguÃa, NCLR President and CEO. "The debate on this vital issue will finally begin in the United States Senate. Latinos, and all Americans, are eager for Congress to act on immigration reform, and we are glad to be at the starting gate."
However, NCLR expressed concern with some of the provisions included in the Senate bill.
These include dramatically changing the legal immigration system by eliminating visa categories which allow U.S. citizens to petition for their families; a point system which would for the first time in nearly a century make visas available to anyone in the world based on educational attainment and English-language ability; and a proposed new temporary worker program.
"For a temporary worker program to function and to serve the interests of this country, workers must have an avenue for putting down roots and earning their way to U.S. citizenship over time", said MurguÃa.
"While we have serious reservations about some elements of this bill, we will engage in vigorous efforts to improve it," added MurguÃa. "We are deeply committed to moving legislation forward and seeing this process through to the House and ultimately to the Presidents desk. We salute the senators who have taken the first step and look forward to engaging in the debate to its conclusion."
We'll see what Lou Dobbs says about this at the top of the hour.
sw
I love the bit about, “they would have to go home to apply for citizenship” Next they will tell us that those returning home to apply for citizenship would have no advantage over their countrymen who had never entered the U.S. illegally and never been given the Z visa.
The RNC told me they were getting “3,000 calls an hour” about immigration. I don’t know if that was hyperbole or not.
Anyway I told them if GWB signs the amnesty, I will change my state voter registration from Republican to Independent forthwith. And I will never, ever support any Republican candidate or issue for the remainder of my lifetime.
My tolerance is at an end.
Yeah, we can use our public schools and universities to do it!
Oh, wait a second...
THIS IS NOTHING, WAIT TILL YOU SEE THE NEW SCHOOL SYSTEM
WE MARCH NOW OR SILENCED FOREVER. WE MUST UNITE...SOMEONE CALL TRANCEDO AND SHARPTON...WE HAVE TO TAKE TO THE STREETS.
FOR ONCE THIS IS SOMETHING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND THE REP. CAN AGREE.
WHAT THE H ARE WE WAITING FOR?
Problem is, where do we go? Do we go to an already existing third party or create a new one? I think it might be easier to migrate to a third party, but which one?
Beunos dias, Senor Presidente!
I’m completely serious...the honor that the office deserves, the truth that he deserves.
He's probably just look at you, smile, and wave.
I do not believe these charts, period.
Agree 100%
Actually, it’s THREE former presidential candidates, and one still trying to fool Republican voters.
STOP IT WE DONT HAVE A PARTY WE HAVE A DEMOCRACY THAT IS BEING HIJACKED.
WILL YOU STAND AND FIGHT?
YOUR FIGHT MEANS NOTHING UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE.
WE MUST TAKE TO THE STREET AND SHOW OUR UNITY.
Answer the question I asked.
I kind of told them something similar. Let them know too I NEVER make phone calls like I was doing. I am done with them if Bush signs this Bill.
For the 20th time, prosecute employers who have more than 5 “undocumented immigrant” employees on their premises.
Six months of doing that will put a huge dent in the hiring of illegal aliens. Company managers and owners will not want to face big fines and jailtime.
In so doing, there will be no work for illegals, and they’ll go home.
It is that simple.
Ok....anything to take my mind off this immigration bill!! It really steamed me more than any other issue I can remember.
Yep. Those that are saying it can't be done must have an ulterior motive that does not want to see it done.
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH
PUT WORDS INTO ACTION.
WE MUST MARCH.....WHERE AND WHEN?
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