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.
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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.
>>
I know folks won’t like me saying this, but read that carefully.
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.
What this says above is illegals DO have to leave the country. They must accept deportation. They will be allowed to apply to return, but they are paying a fine and transport costs to leave the country. Those costs go to US airlines or bus companies or whatever.
Their application to return may be expedited, and they are getting an advantage over legal immigrant applicants who might not be expedited, but as best I can see THIS is the only item that is in this proposal that immigration zealots should hate. The rest of this proposal looks pretty hardline conservative.
Personally, I would never have believed the Dems would allow forcing a head of household to actually leave the country and apply for readmission. The rest of the family . . . hell, the kids may be US citizens. You can’t force them to leave their home country. And yes, I know there is decrying of “anchor baby” provisions in the Constitution, but they are there and that is the current law.
Overall, what looks good here is everything I just typed apparently does not even start until all the enforcement triggers are in place. I think I would have liked to see one more trigger . . . and actual number of deportations per year being reached . . . before triggering these other things, but in general, if I do not walk down the path of believeing no enforcement will ever happen . . . this agreement could be much much worse.
What’s the pool on how long before we hear: “Press 2 for English?”
Well that’s it. I’m sick of Bush. The sooner he’s out, the better. The rest of the Repubs are barely better than the Dems on this. We didn’t even need a bill. There’s too many laws unenforced as it is. I will remember this, as will millions of others.
“Hot damn! A shiny new law to ignore,” say business and government leaders. “We’re still in business,” said an “immigrant” rights industry spokesman.
F You Mr. President. Why do I say that? Because you just said it to all good Americans.
Time to take to the streets folks. Enough is Enough!!!
Call your Senators now and demand a filibuster.
Hardly. They don't even see America as a country anymore... just one big giant employment agency.
Today's news will give candidates like Thompson, Hunter, and Tancredo a lot of ammo in the debates. I wouldn't be too surprised if their poll numbers start rising pretty quickly. American conservatives are fed up.
I never would have joined the Marines if I could have foreseen all this. Not to mention, all of Bush's failures as a CIC.
Fred Thompson supports a so-called "path to citizenship" for the 12 million already here and has voted for amnetsy in the past, including his 1997 vote to grant blanket amnesty to close to one million illegal aliens from Nicaragua and Cuba.
Well...I can see robberies going up...and who in the he** thinks they are going to go home first. LOL
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.(snip)
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.
sure...everyone will come forward to get a card....using fake names....every 2 years. LOL
Watch, as soon as they get these temp cards, they will be allowed to vote.
The republican party jumped the shark today.....
The American loyalists who stopped this last time out are far outnumbered this time. The only "bruising battle" we can expect will be about to what degree treason will be committed.
I wouldn't miss him
Uh...visited Southern California lately?
I am hearing that the deal has already broken down. Everyone can calm down. The liberals, as usual, rushed to the TV cameras without a clue.
elaborate...
Now if we can figure out a way to legalize drug smuggling, terrorist acts and other crimes, we’d have it made. /s
Mañana.
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