Posted on 06/11/2007 8:32:49 PM PDT by indcons
US President George W. Bush was confident Monday that the most sweeping overhaul of US immigration laws in two decades will ultimately clear Congress once he gets home from his European tour.
Speaking in Bulgaria's capital Sofia, Bush acknowledged disappointment that the legislation -- aimed at bringing 12 million illegal immigrants out of the shadows -- collapsed Thursday in the Democratic-controlled Congress.
"Listen, the immigration debate is a tough debate. I'm under no illusions about how hard it is," he told a news conference.
"There are people in my (Republican) party that don't want a comprehensive bill. There are people in the Democrat Party that don't seem to want a comprehensive bill."
But he said that he would, upon his return to Washington, get in touch with leading Democrats and Republicans who do support the legislation to get it firmly back on track.
"I'll be going to the Senate to talk about a way forward on the piece of legislation," he said.
"I'm going to work with those who are focused on getting an immigration bill done and start taking some steps forward again. I believe we can get it done. I'll see you at the bill signing."
Harry Reid, the Democratic leader of the Senate, withdrew the bill Thursday after senators, seeking to add amendments, voted twice within nine hours not to move it towards a final vote as he had demanded.
Billed as a "grand bargain," the proposed law would grant a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants, establishing a merit-based points system for future immigrants, and create a low-wage temporary worker program.
It also envisions a border security crackdown, punishment for employers who hire illegal immigrants and an attempt to wipe out a backlog of visa applications from those who have gone through legal channels.
Bush, who has made immigration reform a top priority of his second presidential term, is due to attend a Senate Republican policy lunch on Tuesday following his trip to Europe.
It is in the amendments of this bill, I have posted this in my posts. I know many see the H1B as evil too, but for a skilled university person this was the only way in. I only want a chance to one day move back after having improved my chances with my current German scientific employment.
What does CIR propose besides the amnesty for illegals (the amendments are mainly from Sanders and Democrats, with Republicans often consenting):
> H1B cost 5000 to 10000 dollars more to the employer - each time (also for renewals and extensions), and perhaps only for 1 year maximum each renewal
> if corporate H1B employer closes down a factory and its employees are laid off, then within 60 days all H1B throughout the entire company will lose visa and company may not petition for any immigrant visa (H1B/GC) anymore. Well, this might mean the company cannot design new products anymore and will go overseas.
> H1B is granted only after proof no American applied for a widely advertised position (making it equally difficult as the Green Card while it is no Green Card)
> H1B may not be dual intent anymore, that is will not allow going for Green Card
> Total number of Green Cards for skilled employment and for family goes down.
> Green Card lottery is abandonded.
> Visa waivers (2 year foreign residency requirement) after non-immigrant J1 student/postdoc visa not granted anymore, meaning no switching from J1 to H1B.
> tourist visa waivers for friends of the US are in peril, meaning all tourists will have to do visa interviews and males need people to vouch for them. Now I will even be suspicious for having a daughter in the US (could cause me to overstay ...) Besides, that will hit the US tourism industry hard.
> the proposed merit point system for Green Card gives points for being the adult child of a citizen, but gives no points for being a parent of a citizen
> the merit point system tried to balance low-skill and high-skill, will apply in the future with current applicants needing to reapply and nothing happening for the meantime until law goes into effect, and does not address the issue of backlogs and country quotas
There was discussion on failed Menendez amendment (preserving the GC applications of US citizens sponsoring parents that were filed 2005-2007). This failed on technicalities. Kyl had another amendment passed that those might be honored if GC is available by 2027 (20 year wait) yet waits are expected to be up to 80 years (when all are dead).
So the illegals basically get a Green Card in 24 hours no questions asked, and they will pay only one time 5000 dollars, and their families will stay intact.
The supporters of the bill would take low ratings to get it passed.
Not if they believed it would really get them kicked out of office.”
I think a lot of them are going to be voted out anyway, if it’s still possible when their time comes.
The problem is, the Amnesty will be fact by then.
They are not doing this just for cheap labor.
They still won’t secure the border.
Illegals will still continue to swarm in.
There aren’t enough jobs for the illegals that are here now.
It’s going to get very ugly.
Does anybody feel the water gradually getting hotter?
There are only 4 ways to deal with immigration people
a) treat Americans, legal immigration aspirants, illegals equal
b) amnesty for illegals, preventing legal immigration, and hence treat unfairly those Americans and legals who have followed laws (THIS IS WHERE CIR IS GOING)
c) no more immigration = no amnesty, sqeezing all immigrants legal or illegal out, hence treat unfairly the relatively few legals who have followed laws
d) no amnesty, illegals have to pay hefty fines and wait until all legal immigrants are accomodated
What is the one most in line with American constitution as a country of laws?
“And i’m confident that when all is said and done Bush will have an approval ratings in the teens.”
And no one will admit to being one of those 14% either, I’m sure. It’s one of the things that puzzles me. Before this immigration fiasco, his approval rating was about 38%... Now, with his entire base furious at him, it’s about 35%. There’s got to be more of us than that! Who’s lying to the pollsters?!
“And i’m confident that when all is said and done Bush will have an approval ratings in the teens.”
Single digits, except in Albania.
“Not if they believed it would really get them kicked out of office. These traitors crave money, of course, but they crave the power and prestige of their office even more. They have lived with low ratings before yet keep on getting reelected. Until some Senators are given the boot because of their opposition to the will of their constituents, they have no reason to be concerned about voter approval.”
The problem is that no matter how corrupt, or how incompetent, a fired politican can always get a job at a think tank, or lobbying, or a cabinet position. And there will be people who defend them, even people you wouldn’t expect to, no matter what.
The bill will put America on the ash heap of history.
Bush will have accomplished what the Soviet Union could not.
Thanks, crossing_over. Lemme ponder that.
Some days it seems the President wants to split our party. Or just does not care. The good thing is we can fire up the base and get rid of some rinos in the primary.
No. Bush is a Globalist, a Wilsonian Democrat, neo-con... whatever you wanna call it..he is not a traditional conservative...
Funny very few informed types ever mention this,isn’t it ? Of course, some like Micheal Medved an irritating neo-con, cries black helicopter crowd minimizes the whole thing...
And then it would still have to go to the House where all of them have to face the voters.
The best chance for passage was for it to get it done quickly.
If any amendments are added to get GOP votes, then the Democrats will reject it.
Bush has no political capital to get this bill through, with even his own GOP base rejecting it.
This is the reverse -- the Government is seeking to change the People to one it finds more pleasing.
Funny very few informed types ever mention this,isn’t it ?”
They can’t talk with sand in their mouth.
Welcome to FR. We do what we can. Thanks for highlighting your situation and how discriminatory this entire travesty of a bill is to people who want to and try to be and stay and remain here legally, and who would be great contributors to US.
Bush’s oath of office means as much to him as Clinton’s marriage vows mean to him.
If this bill passes I guarantee you this much. Many posting in this forum cursing the very ones who vote for it in the GOP will be their biggest supporters come election 2008. Why they can even let a Perjurer In Chief have a Not Guilty vote and still be the party hero after a few years. Take down the names and watch. They will insist everyone forgive and forget for the sake of their precious beloved GOP. It doesn't matter how pathetic the congressman or senator is to some just so they are a Republican.
Hillary Clinton could change parties tomorrow and such as these would vote her in because she can win for the party they would say. It's not about idea's, principles, or even right and wrong to them, it's all about the party.
That type of thinking and voting is why both houses and our POTUS are running roughshod over We The People. They know people will forgive them and the sooner they pass this bill the more time there is to forget from now till election time. Our elected have lost all fear of the voters wrath thanks in part to the straight party ticket voters who vote for someone no matter how horrible and undeserving they are because of the party. The elected know they won't be punished by many.
Of course the typical GOP media apologist show host will be on radio and tv as well saying these poor public servants had no choice. We all know their names by now.
You're not naive but the elected office holders in DC lost their fear of the voter wrath over a decade ago. We would as a nation been much better off had a weak DEM won POTUS in 2000 like Lieberman. Not many could understand that but here is the reason. Bush has managed from his early days on split the GOP in half and has consistently worked against the Conservatives using liberals like John McCain to do his dirty work for him pushing bills for the DEMs. Teddy couldn't have gotten a better DEM even if Gore had won because the GOP would have stood up to Gore.
The GOP is worse circumstances than a minority they are a split minority actually two different parties within the GOP with a few true conservatives taking the hard stands on issues. Ironically they are also the ones people seem to be the angriest at.
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