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.
But then you would have to impeach Cheney, so I don’t think Pelosi would be an improvement.
We are up that proverbial S*&( Creek then aren't we?
This is a dark day in America.
Washington makes me sick.
We are stuck with him in PA. We had a chance with Toomey and blew it.
“si, claro que si, el guapo presidente”
...”yes, the President”. Is all I can get. Better get my old spanish dictionary from HS out.
_______
yes, of course it is clear, handsome president (or some such crappola)
Isn’t El Guapo the chief villain in the Three Amigos?
Aren’t the Muslims taking that over?
Better brush up on the High School Espanol.
“Political Human Sacrifice” is the only way to go. Recall them all now.
LET MY PEOPLE MOW!!
Tell me that we're "Free".
If what I read was true they have either 6 or 8 years to do this.
They'll just play the waiting game like they are now and I'm sure another "bipartisan" bill will be approved to wave that also.
This bill is just a scam.
Bush sucks, completely. It is as simple as that. Does anybody still support him?
Don’t pray, but get people in your district together to meet with your representatives in Congress and make it happen. We are citizens, and we must use our constitutional process to set things right.
And multi millions of BRAND NEW DEMOCRATS will be good for the republican party HOW?..
2008 awaits!!!.... (jaws theme)..
The White RINO House is a house of moles..
Since these raving @ssholes believe that anyone who breaks the law must be catered to and have their @ss kissed, perhaps it is about time the citizens of this country start disregarding the laws.......................
GWB campaigned for Specter, and now we know it was all in service of this traitorous amnesty.
Specter is lower than slime mold.
I’m in!
Put aside for a moment “nobody is enforcing anything now, why will they enforce this?” Just put that aside a moment. If you stay focused on that, there is nothing that could possibly be done that anyone would believe is being done.Owen, Owen ,Owen. Don't you get it? You're looking at all the frooforaw about gaining permanent residency or citizenship... But miss the biggest trick of all, They've created a new category, the "Z Visa" - instant legal residency by another name, with none of those other triggers, leaving the country, etc. Tricky aren't they!
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