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 ...
I never said give up - let's say we are at 29% "secure" right now - I am fine doubling that to 58%.
Then why did you say this about a border wall?
Even a 95% effective barrier would be.
You can't even keep your own talking points consistent within the same thread!
I am opposed to a fence that kept 95 percent out because of the cost, not in principle. The Senate bill(s) deal with those who are ALREADY here. It would also COST TO MUCH to deport 20 million. I would rather see those resources go to, you know, actually catching terrorists and real criminals.
P.S. You don;t get to pick today's talking points ; )
I have not been following this since the deal was announced yesterday and everyone was greatly pleased that the problem was over. Has anything important happened? BTW, any estimate of the percent of illegal aliens that actually walk across the border? Whatever happened to the term 'wetbacks'? Did the Rio Grande dry up or something? Questions for the end of the week.
With a few exceptions, today's immigration judges (who serve for life) are dedicated to enforcing the law, and they do a difficult job well. This bill forces all immigration judges to step down after serving seven years - and restricts replacements to attorneys with at least five years' experience practicing immigration law.Yeah, that makes me feel safe. Put MALDEF in charge of our security!Virtually the only lawyers who'll meet that requirement are attorneys who represent aliens in the immigration courts - who tend to be some of the nation's most liberal lawyers, and who are certainly unlikely as a class to be fond of enforcing immigration laws.
Hey, illegals cost us billions of dollars a year in taxpayer subsidies for services they consume. A fence would be cost-effective.
But cost really isn't the issue, is it? After all, you said you were for the Senate bill and against terrorists entering the country. A fence would help keep terrorists out and the Senate bill would make it easier for them to come in. So, once again, what you claim and what you debate are two very different things.
An $80 billion fence would NOT be cost-effective.
The cost would be minimal, as has already been explained to you.
Really?
Just how many 9-11's do you want to pay for?
"Minimal" because you are not factoring any other possible consequences from the wall.
I'm waiting. So far all I see are posts from a traitor who wants to reward lawbreaking.
I am 100% correct, despite your protestations. Even if the linkage is 20 steps, it is sill linkage.
The invasion from the south is killing people. Not only are the people themselves killing Americans, but the effects of their presense are killig people.
Support for illegal invasion is treason. Period.
Someone used that yesterday - even $8 billion is too much. We could catch THOUSANDS of terrorists the old fashioned way with $8 billion.
I don't want any more 9/11 attacks - which is why I am in favor of SPENDING OUR LIMITED RESOURCES WISELY in that regard.
The bill has stalled in the Senate.
BTW, any estimate of the percent of illegal aliens that actually walk across the border?
I don't have any numbers, but I know of no one on either side of the debate who's claimed that it's anything other than the vast majority of them. That's certainly the premise that everyone accepts.
And your evidence of this is? Israel's experience has shown that its fence is the most effective counterterrorism tool it's come up with to date.
If anything, the consequences would be cost savings, as our resources aren't stretched as thin to cover the costs the illegals incur in social services and crime. You've yet to show how it would increase costs beyond the cost of construction and routine maintenance.
LOL - just because 100% of PLO terrorists entered Israel illegally does not mean the same percentage entered the U.S. illegally! In fact, the 9/11 attackers entered LEGALLY!!!! The prudent action would be to spend resources directed toward where the actual problem is.
Not arguing that there is such a thing as 100 percent security. But are you saying that keeping the borders open because of the cost of securing them would be preferable than closing the borders and reducing the incident of terrorism?
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