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 ...
And so have native born Americans, what's your point.
I am not a liar - there are a dozen on the thread I provided, but that is not the first time I've asked the question, so yes, Virginia, there are "dozens" (at least) here at FR - my "experiment" was never intended to prove a majority.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Russians and other Eastern Europeans, as with the Irish are here illegally in massive numbers.
They blend in, they speak good English, and are very accepted.
That's the part I don't like about this debate. It isn't about the poor Mexicans whose government doesn't want to lift to a higher level; it's about our arrogant government not giving a fig about the real concerns and fears of citizens.
Weren't the 9/11 attackers "illegal aliens" too?!
Amen! Don't worry too much - I didn't get included on the pinko list either ; )
Senate voting now on Hagel/Martinez Amendment
CSPAN 2
Mr. Martinez voted NO ---- and it is his amendment.
I see the critical point sailed over your head yet again. Namely, the wall does not have to be airtight - it would be one component of a larger enforcement.
Using your logic, we shouldn't bother with prisons, because convicts escape occasionally.
Well that is up for discussion. IIRC, all 19 homicide hijackers entered the US legally, but some overstayed their visas(thus making them illegal), but they weren't also truly and collqually illegal, since they entered the country to learn how to fly planes and kill innocent Americans and had money, while the standard American English colloquialism for illegal, is a Mexican or Hispanic, who sneaks over the border and just wants to get a job at such repectable professions such as vegetable picking or construction.
But sometimes idealougues try to blur the lines.
Prisons are not a waste of resources. Even a 95% effective barrier would be.
Mr. Hagel votes NO.
Okay, color me confused. Hagel and Martinez voted "no" on their own amendment?!
It will pass, or he wouldn't have voted "no". Then our side finally has a bill - your side still has HR 4437 - call it "even".
I guess it depends on what you consider to be important.
Obviously.
Their total disregard for the will of the American people is disgusting.
I think they knew it was not going to pass and they wanted to be on the majority side of the vote to move for reconsideration, which I think is what they are doing at the moment.
All this parliamentary cr@p makes my brain hurt.
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