Posted on 05/17/2007 12:16:18 PM PDT by 300magnum
WASHINGTON - Key senators in both parties and the White House announced agreement Thursday on an immigration overhaul that would grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. and fortify the border.
The plan would create a temporary worker program to bring new arrivals to the U.S and a separate program to cover agricultural workers. Skills and education-level would for the first time be weighted over family connections in deciding whether future immigrants should get permanent legal status. New high-tech employment verification measures also would be instituted to ensure that workers are here legally.
The compromise came after weeks of painstaking closed-door negotiations that brought the most liberal Democrats and the most conservative Republicans together with President Bush's Cabinet officers to produce a highly complex measure that carries heavy political consequences.
Bush called it "a much-needed solution to the problem of illegal immigration in this country" and said, if approved, the proposal "delivers an immigration system that is secure, productive, orderly and fair."
"With this bipartisan agreement, I am confident leaders in Washington can have a serious, civil and conclusive debate so I can sign comprehensive reform into law this year," he said in a written statement. Bush planned to make remarks about the bill later Thursday at the White House.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, his party's lead negotiator on the deal, hailed it as "the best possible chance we will have in years to secure our borders and bring millions of people out of the shadows and into the sunshine of America."
Anticipating criticism from conservatives, Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., said, "It is not amnesty. This will restore the rule of law."
The accord sets the stage for what promises to be a bruising battle next week in the Senate on one of Bush's top non-war priorities.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., called the proposal a "starting point" for that debate, but added that it needs improvement.
"I have serious concerns about some aspects of this proposal, including the structure of the temporary worker program and undue limitations on family immigration," Reid said in a statement.
The key breakthrough came when negotiators struck a bargain on a so-called "point system" that prioritizes immigrants' education and skill level over family connections in deciding how to award green cards.
The immigration issue also divides both parties in the House, which isn't expected to act unless the Senate passes a bill first.
The proposed agreement would allow illegal immigrants to come forward and obtain a "Z visa" and — after paying fees and a $5,000 fine — ultimately get on track for permanent residency, which could take between eight and 13 years. Heads of household would have to return to their home countries first.
They could come forward right away to claim a probationary card that would let them live and work legally in the U.S., but could not begin the path to permanent residency or citizenship until border security improvements and the high-tech worker identification program were completed.
A new temporary guest worker program would also have to wait until those so-called "triggers" had been activated.
Those workers would have to return home after work stints of two years, with little opportunity to gain permanent legal status or ever become U.S. citizens. They could renew their guest worker visas twice, but would be required to leave for a year in between each time.
Democrats had pressed instead for guest workers to be permitted to stay and work indefinitely in the U.S.
In perhaps the most hotly debated change, the proposed plan would shift from an immigration system primarily weighted toward family ties toward one with preferences for people with advanced degrees and sophisticated skills. Republicans have long sought such revisions, which they say are needed to end "chain migration" that harms the economy, while some Democrats and liberal groups say it's an unfair system that rips families apart.
Family connections alone would no longer be enough to qualify for a green card — except for spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens.
New limits would apply to U.S. citizens seeking to bring foreign-born parents into the country.
Is there any advantage to being a *real* American citizen any more?
Oh please...make my day. (Details...?)
And the leftists blogs are now PROUD of this fool! What a dichotomy.
Have Bush and Specter been alerted to this news?
FWIW, I tend to agree with you.
>>Maybe it is time to impeach Bush...<<
But then you would have to impeach Cheney, so I don’t think Pelosi would be an improvement.
I just said the same thing to my husband - my nephew has been ordered back for the second time after being home for only 10 months.
I want them home now, why fight and die for this country of Mexico.
I just can’t believe I worked so hard to get this man elected not once but twice.
NEVER AGAIN - no more money and no more volunteer hours for the grand ole GOP
“”Reid doesn’t mean that. It’s part of the plan for liberals to express fake disappointment with the plan being “too harsh” so the Prez and the GOP/RINO party can declare a phony victory.””
Could be. Rove maneuvred Bush last year to seem to be, in the MSM’s eyes, the “compromiser.”
Me thinks it’s time to start The American Party!
If any able-bodied really want ‘legal status,’ let them join the Army or Marines and serve a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan first.
They can start learning English while in Basic Training.
What's your source? Please post a link! :o)
Are you sure about that? NAt Review said that, but then retracted it.
I absolutely LOATHE Arlen Specter, with every fiber of my being.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/images/20070504-11_d-0364-1-515h.html
He’s screwing up by the numbers with the boarder issue!
Think about this, my brother is still a German and going through the immigration process legally. He had a green card, did the right things, paid taxes, could have been drafted, and all this cost him time and money. Bush is proposing that millions of people who circumnavigate the immigration process intended to filter out those who probably can't adapt or are undesirable (criminals etc) be given blanket citizenship based on what they "claim". His proposal basically will take the word of someone who has no documentation and came here by breaking the law and pretend that they will tell the truth. Does President Bush understand why we have an immigration process in the first place, or are 14.5% Hispanic voters blinding his understanding of how that works? I guess my brother is an idiot for having done it the right way. This is embarrassing, it's insulting, and it runs counter to our national interests other than some fat cats that see cheap labor and some votes.
It's so sad to hear you say this, but you're absolutely right. Our brave men and women fighting overseas are fighting for us, their fellow U.S. citizens, and the Constitutional Republic we live in. Our traitorous "leaders" want to destroy this Republic and replace it with a "union" where we will no longer be sovereign and our Constitution will mean nothing. Our soldiers did not sign up to defend what the bastards in Washington want us to become.
Regardless, those of us who will always fight for our Country honor the courage and service of your children.
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