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.

[Rebelbase]

"Question- Without documentation how do you determine the length of their time spent in this country illegally?"

Take their word for it, along with a notorized letter from a landlord or school vouching for them.

IOW it's a sham.

[trubluolyguy]

Which, when translated means,,,, I'm changing to the CONSTITUTION PARTY.

---

Welcome.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

I guess you do not mind anyone throwing derogatory terms on this forum. The leftists love to highlight overt prejudice and racism.

[warsaw44]

They have ALL been here for 5 years. Even the hoards headed toward the border now. All of them have been here five years...no? Try to prove they haven't.

[Reagan Man]

Then don't relax. LOL

If you understood how the process works in the Congress, maybe you'd show a little patience. Nothing has been voted on yet. Its still in the Senate process.

[Serenissima Venezia]

How are they going to document the length of the illegal stay in the US?

The undocumented will provide their documents.

[Prokopton]

"Yea and put Leahy in as chair of the Judiciary Cmte., Rangel as chair of Ways and Means, Reid as majority leader. And go ahead vote for the Constitution Party. How many seats in the House or Senate will they get? You need 60 votes to control the Senate folks. Wise up and don't fall for the liberal plan to get control of Congress."


I would rather have 41 conservatives in the senate that could prevent the liberals from passing their agenda than I would the present Republican controlled senate that aids the liberals in passing their agenda.

[freeperfromnj]

the entire capitol needs to be cleaned of these career cockroaches

I couldn't agree more.

[samcgwire]

Next, it's going to be reparations and Democrat voters.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

How would you deport every single illegal? You can't and you know it. I wish folks would stop speaking in bumper sticker speak and come up with feasible solutions.

[rattrap]

Easy, they've all been here 6 years. See? Problem solved... /s

[Right Wing Professor]

Tell all future illegals that if caught sneaking over the border, they forever forfeit any chance of future legal entry.

And this time we really really really super double mean it?

[stephenjohnbanker]

"Ask any Veteran
what they think of the "plan" to reward
illegal "guest workers"
with a "path" to citizenship."

We KNOW what veterans think of shamnesty, as it is a direct assult/insult upon those who fight for our country every day!

[sissyjane]

Get over it...

We're talking about ILLEGAL Mexicans who cross the border-ILLEGALLY, and suck up all of our resources.

[EternalVigilance]

Those here less have to leave the country and apply at a point of entry in order to even apply for a worker program.

What?!?

That'll take ten billion buses and cost 700 trillion dollars! /sarcasm

[jackadams]

Exactly, how can you prove or disprove how long someone, especially an illegal, has been here?

[samcgwire]

And, it will be 20 million before you know it. Mark my words, they'll hit 15 million so fast their heads will be spinning.

[Rennes Templar]

How are we going to enforce 20 million to leave?

[OldFriend]

Supposedly McCain/Kennedy bill gone gone gone. I guess time will tell.

[Old_Mil]

This crap would never get this far if the Republicans controlled the Senate, Congress, & the White House... Right???

Well, don't lose hope yet. I always figured that the democrats, RINOs, and the President would push for this.

However, to become law, it has to go through Tom Tancredo, his allies in the House, and the rest of us. Now would be a great time to vote with your wallet and make sure that someone who represents our interests has the wherewithal to take the White House in 2008.

Tancredo for Presdient