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.
There is no way I could disagree with you. We have a shameful government, put in place by shameful duped people.
Bush Begone!
Nice legacy Bush, ugh!
Is Mexico happy with this proposed bill?
I am so glad right this minute that my boy is in Fort Polk and not in Iraq. This is sickening. Talk about a minority takeover - there’s fewer than 600 of them in Congress and the presidency. Betrayed big time by the people we pay to keep our country safe.
Thanks to my Grandparents, I have the option of emigrating to Ireland. An option that looks great after today.
IMPEACH CONGRESS and El Presidente, also DEPORTE los illegalis!
Flooding the nation with third worlders is his dream. ....along with the dream of every other transnationalist.
Bush won’t care. None of them will. They won’t be affected by the consequences of their actions. Not in the least.
My God they truly think we are so medicated, so brain dead, that we will believe this tripe.
Let's see: Break the law by sneaking into the country. Break the law by working under false documentation. And what happens: You get citizenship. No matter how many supposed hoops and hurdles these illegals have to go through, they are being rewarded with US citizenship. THAT is amnesty!
And as for restoring the rule of law? That is beyond ignorant. They do not enforce existing law. So what do they do? Pile on more (suppposed) laws and regulations. Who will enforce what the government refuses to enforce?
a few minutes ago , FoxNews had a Bush quote caption ,..
“this Bill treats people with respect”
(( well , except for American citizens , .. this tidalwave of illegals has destroyed my livelihood , and that’s the truth ! ! ! ))
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.
I didn’t really want to see those pictures today, but I guess I needed to. Thanks for putting them up.
“W”s conduct as president is disgraceful.
You Said: “Is there anyone in D.C. who actually cares about America any more?”
No, that is the problem, and what makes it worse is that instead of booting these parasites out of office when they don’t do their jobs, we just keep re-electing them, or their clones.
It is time that all 535 of these B***ards went out and found real jobs, and let someone who actually cares for America represent the people who elected them.
I am fastly becoming a libertarian.
Ugh. I'm sorry I asked. LOL I really didn't need to hear that right now. I say hang the traitors before sunset.
The Z-visa:
>>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.<<
1) Bush and his minions claim that the illegals would “go to the back of the line.”
2) They get a Z-visa instantly and can stay and work here until they get a green card.
Does anyone see a contradiction here?
There is nothing at all fair about legislation that grants "quick legal status" to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S.
Anticipating criticism from conservatives, Sen. Arlen Sphincter (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., said, "It is not amnesty. This will restore the rule of law."
No, Senator Sphincter. It is amnesty. And it does not restore the rule of law, either. It makes a new law after giving the present law breakers AMNESTY.
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.
It damn well better be a bruising battle; and it better be shot down in flames, or the Republicans can expect to lose even more seats in 2008.
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