Posted on 04/06/2006 8:33:43 AM PDT by STARWISE
WASHINGTON - In a last stab at compromise, Senate Republicans and Democrats reported progress Thursday toward agreement on legislation opening the way to legal status and eventual citizenship for many of the 11 million immigrants now in the U.S. illegally.
"There's been tremendous progress overnight," said Sen. Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record) of Nevada, the Democratic leader, while Majority Leader Bill Frist also expressed optimism that a long-sought compromise might be at hand.
There was no immediate reaction from President Bush, who has made immigration legislation a key priority.
The developments occurred after Frist unveiled a new bill late Wednesday night on the subject as the Senate headed into a test vote on the most sweeping immigration bill in two decades.
In general, the legislation would provide for enhanced border security, regulate the flow of future immigrants into the United States and settle the legal fate of the estimated 11 million men, women and children already in the country.
It was the fate of the illegal immigrant population that proved hardest to legislate, and it has left the Senate on the verge of gridlock for days.
(snip)
Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., as well as other key senators met before the vote to review terms of a proposed compromise.
In general, it would require illegal immigrants who have been in the United States between two years and five years to return to their home country briefly, then re-enter as temporary workers. They could then begin a process of seeking citizenship.
Illegal immigrants here longer than five years would not be required to return home; those in the country less than two years would be required to leave without assurances of returning, and take their place in line with others seeking entry papers.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Are you fluent in English???
Why, because they shouldn't have to learn English? And I am not against learning foreign languages, I've learned several. But if I planned on moving to any other country, I'd learn that country's language instead of expcting everything from government forms to textbooks to be in my language. Are you against them having to learn English too?
LOL, oh NO!
Agreed. It is very intellectually dishonest for our politicians to infer that we need new laws to deal with illegal immigration.
The only new law that we may need is one that strips all non-emergency social services from illegal immigrants. If an illegal does need emergency services then we will provide them but then deport them directly afterward.
Hey, that's what I just said. I guess Tancredo and I are on the same sheet of music. Good to hear that he's got this one figured out too.
Are those WHITE people American citizens?
Your rhetoric is reaching stellar levels. sheesh
That should be the new motto for the Bush administration.
Please click on "clawrence3" below and read a couple thousand posts of mine to answer that question : )
Pitifully weak.
Barack Obama Osama on radio just now stating that the Senate
has "Done good for America and done good for immigrants", to paraphrase.
Barack Obama Osama (C-D, IL)
Yes - they are citizens - care to answer the question now rather than attacking the messenger?
> think that is what this compromise legislation is seeking to head off.
Unfortunately, this is what it will hasten.
So will the next one. - There won't be a third one.
And you, friend.
Hey, I just noticed something about your tagline: Better than Kerry abbreviated is BTK. Cue the twilight zone music!
The impetus for action should have been the illegal alien
invasion.
It REALLY should have been done after 9/11.
Instead, we're running headlong into the North American Union.
I'll pass.
Reading a few dozen posts containing your incoherent gibberish is more than enough to satiate any desire I have to learn more about what you think.
There are plenty of "excuses" - I heard the Chief of Police here in L.A. on the radio this morning pointing out the simple fact that NO ONE can round up 20 million illegals - it is an impossible task. There's just one "excuse" : )
And if I decide that the government cannot spend my tax dollars on foolish pork spending and furnishing health care for those who are not US citizens, can I vote to not allow the government any more of my tax dollars? Until Americans find a way to stick it to Washington and make sure it sends a message nothing will ever change. While everyone is talking about the serious weather conditions with tornadoes and future hurricanes,we should be discussing what will happen when just one nuclear bomb comes across the border. It only has to happen one time.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.