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 ...
Because neither party in Washington represents our interests.
In other news, Congress repealed US Code, Title 8,
and House of Representatives majority party leader Harry Reid was quoted as saying,
"After talking with President Bush, it's just too complicated so regarding our neighbors to the south we've just decided to do whatever Mexico's president wants."
I guess you don't mind your tax dollars being used to pay for their health care, education and housing in our jail and prisons?????
Question- Without documentation how do you determine the length of their time spent in this country illegally?
OK, the Senate leaders, both Democratic and Republican, with key Senators from both are just talking heads.
Meanwhile, the meaningless show of voting for a bill already ditched by its sponsors is where "reality" is.
Which color is the sky in your world?
Question: How do you solve the problem of tens of millions of invaders entering your country illegally?
GOP leadership's answer: Make them legal!!
Stroke of the pen, law of the land! Pretty cool!
The Hagel Martinez bill has many features that close to the Kyl bill. The folks her that can prove that they have been here more than 5 years get to stay but move to the back of the line to get green cards. If they screw up in the process, we know where they are and can kick them out. Those here less have to leave the country and apply at a point of entry in order to even apply for a worker program. If there are severe employer sanctions, I think we may have something. Don't give up yet, people!
Yet, I just don't get people like you and many others on this db.
You must have voted for Bush43? Right?
This immigration package on worker cards etc. was one of Bush43's central campaign promises in the last two elections.
You and the others on this db should have known what you were voting for?
I don't understand why everyone voted for Bush43 when it is apparently such a big issue that many of you disagree with?
"Do you think federal burocrats are going to have the time or inclination to investigate whether 11 million documents are legit?"
The estimates are more like 20 million. By playing the 11 milion number the goverment leaves open the door to say "we under-estimated and don't have the resources to check everyone therefore we are simplyfying the process of becoming a citizen".
DING DING DING.
As soon as these illegals realize they are getting a pay cut and can no longer get way with working for cash, the employers will just coddle millions more of new illegals to undercut the new "guests."
umgud's ammendment (one of many);
Tell all future illegals that if caught sneaking over the border, they forever forfeit any chance of future legal entry.
Unacceptable, the GOP will pay for this treachery in November
As far as I'm concerned the entire capitol needs to be cleaned of these career cockroaches. With the exception of Tancredo, Sessions, and Sessenbrenner, most the rest can go to hell. They just gave us the middle finger and will continue to do so if we vote for them. I intend to find out how this is being voted on. Frist thinks he he slick but I'm not falling for this GOOD COP, BAD COP routine. I want to see them out next election. They just sold this country to the ILLEGALS.
If you cannot document the length of time here you would be ineligible for any program. Regardless, this is a Senate bill. It has to be reconciled with the House.
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