Congress Nears Deal on Illegal Immigrants (breaking on cable networks)

AP/Yahoo News ^ | 4-6-06 | DAVID ESPO

[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.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Alright, Archers-Daniels-Midland Bill.

Happy now?

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Which is an infinitely preferable outcome to the disaster that awaits us if this amnesty monstrosity is enacted into law.

[JeffAtlanta]

You got a lettuce-picking machine in your garage?

Who is going to pick the lettuce once the 12 million illegals are made citizens and refuse to work for slave wages any longer?

[MaineVoter2002]

It's a well-known fact that a pro-american, hard-working Vietnamese person wishing to come to the USA legally and applies for an American VISA in his own country has less than a 5% chance of actually being accepted due to the large number of illegal mexicans the US has to absorb. Is that fair?

[nicmarlo]

Just shows how little you know about agriculture. First of all, Farmer Bill is not eating from the government trough. "Farmers" like ConAgra are. They're the ones hiring illegals. Not the small family farms like Farmer Bill.

Well, that's not the only ones hiring illegals here in upstate New York. Farmer Bill is, with impunity. The local law enforcement does nothing, because the illegals aren't "committing felonies." So, in upstate NY, Farmer Bill is exactly who's hires the illegals.

[sinkspur]

"White boy" is a racial slur?

LOL!!

[VictoryGal]

> A - M - N - E - S - T - Y ..... Which, when translated means,,,, I'm changing to the CONSTITUTION PARTY.

Much as it pains my heart to abandon my party-- I may have to join you :-(

Certainly the GOP are not getting another thin dime out of me.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Alright, Archers-Daniels-Midland Bill.

I know. Not exactly a small farmer. More like a large union.

[JeffAtlanta]

I'm only in favor of impeaching the President if he cheats to become President and it is proven. Other than that, I am NOT in favor of impeaching a President who was elected by the American people.

Treason is a pretty good reason too.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Along with Restaurateur Rick, and Housewife Harriet, and Construction foreman Dave, etc., etc...

[mthom]

Youll get the amnesty. Good luck getting anything in return that will keep more illegals out.

[sinkspur]

It was Bush's platform for 2 terms. He ran on it. Where do you think Gore's "Lockbox" came from?

You know something? You don't like to answer questions.

So I'll ask this one more time, then I'm done with you:

Is not getting Social Security reform a high crime?

[nicmarlo]

Along with Restaurateur Rick, and Housewife Harriet, and Construction foreman Dave, etc., etc...

Yep; and I know in Colorado, there's tons of illegals being hired to clean wealthy/rich folks homes.

[riri]

Twelve million unemployable hispanics are not going to vote for a fiscal conservative party.

Yes, straight, concise and to the point. And the kids of these people, who have watched their fathers work long and hard for little are not going to grow up and become Conservatives. They are going to be angry at the gringo and easily radicalized--especially if they make into our university system.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Bull's-eye.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Well, that's not the only ones hiring illegals here in upstate New York. Farmer Bill is, with impunity. The local law enforcement does nothing, because the illegals aren't "committing felonies." So, in upstate NY, Farmer Bill is exactly who's hires the illegals.

They've already broken the law by simply being here in the first place.

[MaineVoter2002]

Treason

Yes, but the way the left has been re-defining words these days, I wanted to limit my answer to the basics. LOL

[Joe Brower]

"It's on the blink again."

It's always on the blink.

[inquest]

The latest poll I saw indicated that 73% of Americans are in favor of some sort of guest worker program. They also want the borders reinforced. That makes sense. If the House and Senate would choose that approach, a reasonable bill could be produced.

All they have to do is secure the border first, and things can move forward. They know that that approach would meet with the approval of the voters, but they don't want to go that route. Shouldn't be all that hard to figure out why.