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 ...
No, but a Mexican does have to successfully cross the border to become an illegal immigrant.
Actually I was the first one who said it.
Post after post to you has stated that a wall that even slows down illegal immigration would be of value.
Because they either haven't been paying much attention, or simply agree with me.
Agreed
Good point. It is a joke.
I can write a book on how the 86 amnesty bill was the driving force behind the transofmration of California from being a moderate-conservative state in the mid 80s that was trending GOP to being a now solidly liberal state. I can even draw charts and maps on how the demographic changes drove the political changes.
The thing is, the pro illegal immigrant(and pro high level of immigration in general) "conservatives" have no clue when it comes to facts and critical thinking. When all is said and done, the US will be a social democracy, and the most delicious irony is that those who will complain the most about extreme levels of taxation will be those who supported open borders. When their time comes, and their time will come, I will not shead a tear.
He doesn't have to be in America to hit a border town.
If you're too ashamed to defend your positions-which doesn't surprise me, since less than 10%, if that, of this board's users agree with them-then that's your problem, not mine.
It's not a matter of wishing or inventing. Truly, it's a matter of r.e.a.d.i.n.g.:
Federal Law--Section 8 USC 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv)(b)(iii)
A person (including a group of persons, business, organization, or local government) commits a FEDERAL FELONY when she or he: assists an illegal alien she/he should reasonably know is illegally in the U.S. or who lacks employment authorization, by transporting, sheltering, or assisting him or her to obtain employment, or encourages that illegal alien to remain in the U.S. by referring him or her to an employer or by acting as employer or agent for an employer in any way, or knowingly assists illegal aliens due to personal convictions.
The United States Constitution defines
ILLEGAL ENTRY:
USC 8 Section 1325 states
"Any alien who:
1. Enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or
2. Eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or
3. Attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under Title 18 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under Title 18, or imprisoned not more than two years or both.
(b) Improper time or place, civil penalties - Any alien who is apprehended while entering (or attempting to enter) the United States at a time or place other than as designated by immigration officers shall be subject to a civil penalty of
(1) at least $50 and not more than $250 for each such entry (or attempted entry); or
(2) twice the amount specified in paragraph (1) in the case of an alien who has been previously subject to a civil penalty under this subsection. Civil penalties under this subsection are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any criminal or other civil penalties that may be imposed.
(c) Marriage fraud - Any individual who knowingly enters into a marriage for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than $250,000 or both.
(d) Immigration-related entrepreneurship fraud - Any individual who knowingly establishes a commercial enterprise for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, fined in accordance with title 18, or both.
ILLEGAL HIRING: Section 1324a states: "Any person who knowingly hires/harbors/transports any illegal alien is GUILTY OF A FELONY punishable by 10 years jail + $2000 fine per illegal alien + forfeiture of the vehicle or property used to commit the crime".
Jeff Sessions is on the Senate floor right now, and he said the the CBO has informed them that the immigration bill pending violates the Budget Act and some other rules...
That bill could just have to be flushed anyway.
What a silly thing to say.
Because Bush did well with Texas Hispanics, the fact that he got 44% of the total Hispanic vote is meaningless?
That's like saying "Well, if Florida hadn't put in all those three pointers, UCLA would have won."
Clearly, the seante compromise is a sell out.
I am praying one of our GOOD senator's will stage a true filibuster to stop the midnight vote... ala Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.
I am thinking Senator's Kyl and Cronyn.
My statement was that a person cannot become an illegal immigrant remotely. That is the problem we're trying to solve - not an imaginary one where the Mexicans are launching RPGs.
Quoted for verity.
How can an act of Congress violate another act of Congress? If they conflict, the second one wins. At least that's how I thought it worked.
The texas hispanic vote is a huge component of the total hispanic vote. Presidental candidates (except Gore) tend to carry their own state by huge margins.
Without his home state hispanics pumping up the numbers, Bush was solidly beaten in the nationwide hispanic vote.
Not every politician is from Texas so they won't get that same home state advantage. Let's see how well a conservative republican from Ohio does with the hispanic vote.
No, your statement said he had to be physically in this country to use it. Either own up to your posts or refrain from making goofy statements.
That is the problem we're trying to solve - not an imaginary one where the Mexicans are launching RPGs.
Who said they had to be Mexican to launch an RPG? I sure didn't.
The survey doesn't prove that at all.
It proves that 76% of those in the "farming occupation" are American citizens. All the people I see driving the air-conditioned John Deeres are likely American citizens. But how many of them pick oranges?
"Clearly"?! Come on - your side got HR 4437 and ours gets the Senate bill - maybe if the Conference Committee goes completely with the Senate version, then you can claim a "sell out".
Your answer is in #1267.
As feautured on Brit's show minutes ago, it a clearly a sell out.
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.