Possible Compromise On Immigration Reform Takes Shape [12M Illegals Immediate Amnesty!]

CNN ^ | January 28, 2013 | Dana Bash and Tom Cohen

[Steelfish]

Possible Compromise On Immigration Reform Takes Shape By Dana Bash and Tom Cohen, CNN January 28, 2013

Washington (CNN) -- Millions of undocumented immigrants would get immediate but provisional status to live and work in America under a compromise plan proposed Monday by a bipartisan group of eight senators.

While temporarily removing legal uncertainty for the nation's 11 million undocumented immigrants, the senators' outline also called for strengthening border controls, improved monitoring of visitors and cracking down on hiring undocumented workers.

Only after those steps occurred could the undocumented immigrants already in the country begin the process of getting permanent residence -- green cards -- as a step toward citizenship, the senators told a news conference.

"They would no longer be deported, provided they don't have a criminal record. They would no longer be harassed, they would be allowed to stay here and work," said Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York in describing the immediate impact of the framework if crafted into legislation and enacted.

The outline for a possible immigration bill reflects a new willingness by mainstream Republicans to compromise following their party's defeat in November, when President Barack Obama got strong backing from Latino voters. "Elections, elections," answered Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, a veteran of past immigration battles in Congress, when asked to explain the push now for a bill that proved unattainable two years ago.

[DustyMoment]

Except that this isn’t citizenship.

Yes, it is. The plan leads to amnesty and provides a path to citizenship. That's rewarding invaders and lawbreakers with citizenship instead of jail.

[JCBreckenridge]

Exactly - that’s what you should be hammering away at - that it provides a path to citizenship.

I also don’t think it’s tenable to provide any sort of temporary legal status in America without such a path. It will eventually become one even if the path is initially blocked.

The solution is simply not to provide any status at all, unless they leave the country.

[AmericanExceptionalist]

“that the citizenship that had been bestowed upon millions of illegals might be suddenly rescinded...”

That’s not what this is offering, FWIW. Citizenship would still take the 5 years after the green card, even if this were to pass tomorrow. This isn’t even an offer of a green card - it’s a provisional status. Registration with the government, payment of back taxes and a fine of an unspecified amount. Plus - getting to the back of the line wrt green card applications.

There are enough things wrong with the proposed bill as is. No enforcement mechanism is the biggest.

Actually, you are correct.

I should rephrase.

Krauthammer noted--correctly, I believe--that the amnesty that is being offered would not likely be rescinded.

Nor would citizenship be, if acquired later...

[JCBreckenridge]

The problem is - it’s all tied to vague, unspecified promises of enforcement. There’s nothing there. It’s instant amnesty, for everyone who’s in America at present.