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.

[G.Mason]

I'll tell you what this Republican (since 1963) is thinking about doing.

Because of this latest B/S by the Senate with regard to illegal immigration I am thinking of unregistering from the Republican Party. Something I never would have thought possible.

It has become painfully obvious that I have wasted my good time and money supporting a political party that has gone over to the far side.

I will not waste any further effort supporting them, or their twin brothers in any of those other party's. Better I spend my time cleaning my fishing and hunting implements.

[samcgwire]

No, "turned into them" would be more accurate.

[texaslil]

they'll just take the 500.00 and run. I used to teach reading and writing to convicted felons. It was mandated by the judge as a condition of their getting parole. None wanted to learn to read, they just wanted out of jail. They only showed up every third time, since I had to report if they were absent three times in a row. I don't know of a one who was charged with violating parole. they certainly didn't learn to read or write.

[hosepipe]

[ 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. ]

When ever I see these two names together it crawls my nape..
Its just Sooo Queer.. These two high fiving each other is wierd.. and quite disgusting..

[JeffAtlanta]

If they all got thrown on buses tomorrow, what exactly would be te impact on our lives? How many businesses would shut down? How many restaurants would go out of business overnight?

So? How many businesses would shut down if the mafia were eliminated? How many businesses would shut down if the illegal drug trade were shut down?

If businesses can only stay in business by illegal means then do they really need to be in business?

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

how would you locate...

LOL! Look at them.

Want to wager that I can find over a hundred a day just by doing that very thing? Hell, I'll bet that I could nail a thousand in no time flat.

Right. All illegals look alike don't they? Don't bother telling me that you're not a racist.

[warsaw44]

Hello fellow Mass GOP member! I'm doing it. I've thought about it and I will be leaving the Republican party if this nonessential bill is passed. I joined the Republicans when I was 18 years old and no party I'd ever consider being a member of would support this.

[teawithmisswilliams]

Spoken like a true idiot. If a person convicted of a crime is placed on probation, they are given a list of conditions that they have to follow. If they screw up or do not meet with their Probation Officer, they go back into jail. Counties have limited funds. No one wants to pay to build larger jails. How would you manage the problem, Einstein? You just want to whine. Go ahead. No one cares.

Spoken like someone who's out of rational argument (did we mention deportation?) and resorting to personal attacks. What's next, cries of "racism"?

[TheForceOfOne]

American Voters Express Their Outrage (Send Congress A Letter)

Dear Senator:

This is a lengthy email, but I urge you to read every word of it.

Further down in this email letter are several polls on immigration that you may not have seen. They were done by Time Magazine, NBC News, The Wall Street Journal and Quinnipiac University.

These current polls corroborate what dozens of previous polls have been saying for several years -- that Americans, liberal and conservative, young and old, rich and poor, OPPOSE open borders and mass immigration.

More specifically, the polls document that Americans oppose amnesty and easy access to citizenship for illegal aliens. They oppose illegal aliens getting welfare and free health care because, unlike you, most Americans have to pay for things like health care.

They want you to build a wall and put troops on the border because they are acutely aware of the dangers of open borders, uncontrolled immigration, terrorist infiltration, the spread of pandemic diseases, criminal alien gangs and all the other horrors that can arise due to our defenseless borders and unenforced immigration laws.

After you have read the exerpts from the polling data below, I hope you will see the wisdom in agreeing to support the vast majority of your constituents and, in the process, make our nation safe, strong and united again.

I urge you to vote Against any legislation that offers amnesty, guest worker programs, increases in visa allotments or any of the other artifices the Senate uses to bring more immigrants into my country.

Here's the polling data:

Time Poll conducted by Schulman, Ronca & Bucuvalas (SRBI) Public Affairs. March 29-30, 2006. N=1,004 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

Do you think the U.S. is doing enough along its borders to keep illegal immigrants from crossing into this country, doing too much, or not doing enough to keep illegal immigrants from crossing over into the U.S.?" 82% said you are not doing enough!

"Should illegals be allowed to obtain government services, such as health care or food stamps?" 75% said don't give government services to illegal aliens.

"Providing major penalties for employers convicted of hiring illegal immigrants and strongly enforcing it" 76% support major penalties to employers who hire illegal aliens.

"Stopping illegal immigrants from entering the United States by taking whatever steps are necessary to guard the border with Mexico, including using U.S. military forces" 62% said "Put troops on the border NOW!"

"Building a security fence along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexican border to stop the flow of illegals across that border" 56% said "Build the fence!"

"How concerned are you about each of the following issues concerning illegal immigrants: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned, or not concerned at all? . . ."

"It costs taxpayers too much money to provide them with services such as health care and education" 62% said "very concerned"

"What if the United States deported all illegal immigrants and toughened security to stop them from entering this country? Do you think the United States would be better off or worse off?" 53% said we woudl be better off if all illegal aliens were deported.

WANT MORE? HERE'S THE NBC NEWS/WALL STREET JOURNAL POLL NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). March 10-13, 2006. N=approx. 500 adults nationwide.

"I'm going to read you several characteristics of a possible candidate for Congress. For each one I mention, please tell me whether you would be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate for Congress with that characteristic, or whether it would make no difference in your vote either way.

A candidate who favors tighter controls on illegal immigration." 71% support candidates who favor tight controls on immigration.

Quinnipiac University poll. Feb. 21-28, 2006. N=1,892 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 2.3.

"How serious a problem is illegal immigration into the United States: a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, not too serious a problem or not a problem at all?" 57% felt illegal immigration is a very serious problem.

"Do you support or oppose making it easier for illegal immigrants to become citizens?" 62% oppose making it easy for illegal aiens to become citizens.

"Do you support or oppose making it easier for illegal immigrants to become legal workers?" 54% oppose making it easy for illegal aliens to find jobs.

"Do you support or oppose allowing illegal immigrants to get drivers' licenses?" 72% oppose driver's licenses for illegal aliens.

"Do you support or oppose requiring proof of legal residency in order to obtain government benefits?" AND A WHOPPING 84% WANT PROOF OF LEGAL RESIDENCY BEFORE HANDING OUT GOVERNMENT BENEFITS.

Well, Senator, there it is, in black and white. There is no place to hide anymore. If you continue to support open borders and amnesty, I can only conclude that you are intentionally working against America's best interests and the majority of your constituents.

And if that is what you choose to do, understand that there will be repercussions. I, along with many of your constituents, will remember in November, this year and again in 2008 and 2010 -- as long as it takes to elect Senators who put their country ahead of their own selfish ambitions.

[cartoonistx]

[sissyjane]

I don't know if I'm going to "unregister", but everytime I get a letter from the GOP asking for money, I think I will send it back unopened. That way not only will they get nothing from me, but they will have to pay the postage for their mail.

If enough people did it, they would get the message quick. No more money from me!!!

[uglybiker]

How many businesses would shut down? How many restaurants would go out of business overnight?

If they have been knowingly employing illegals, they are breaking the law and do not deserve to be in business!

[Serenissima Venezia]

How many tens of millions more illegal aliens will this amnesty draw across our borders?

On a thread from a California Minuteman, it was stated that the illegals the BP have stopped lately have said they are coming here for amnesty. The news travels fast! (Idiot Senators!)

[Wild Irish Rogue]

And George Clooney thought Hollywood was out of touch-guess he never met a US Senator.
This is a silly bill. It defies logic.
If they can't identify the millions of illegals now , how can they identify the millions of illegals then ?
And as an added bonus, they now have to be sorted into 3 categories.
It looks like a big part of this bill is voluntary compliance-if it wasn't so sad, it would be funny.
The levels of bureauracy needed to contemplate enforcing even a portion of this silliness is mind boggling.
How long before the ACLU files a discrimination suit for those that have been here 4 years and 364 days ?

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

You come up with a plan to locate every illegal that is feasible and effective and I will listen to you.

[Soul Seeker]

Well, by not voting I generally mean I'll write-in a name. I don't like the third parties either so they don't get my vote.

The only question is what name to write-in to make a point. Also, sending a hardwritten note to my representative and the Republican challenger for the Senate describing my intent and why will provide some incentive not to be dismissive of the CAUSE after the election.

But, yeah, I've said it before and Party faithfuls are horrified when I do. I am no "purist", infact I despise them, but at the same time I have principles. I don't vote for people completely lacking of character. Nor do I typically vote for someone because of successful scare tactics.

Simple fact is that the Republicans have announced they have no interest in serving my interests. Fair enough. That is their right. It is NOT their right to assume they are entitled to my vote despite not servicing my interests. Liberals believe in entitlements, that's why they vote for Dems no matter what. Conservatives do not believe in entitlements. Hence '92.

Am I departing from the GOP simply over immigration? Nope. Judges, free spesch, taxes, ANWR, Al-Quida Bill of Rights, Dubai...I have a multitude of reasons not to vote FOR them.

So, I have to examine why I should vote FOR them. Prevent impeachment? Okay, good reason. Except I don't trust the Republicans not to sell the President down the river for political advantage anymore. Not after Dubai. Judges? Okay, except I have no faith members like Hutchinson or the Senator from Alaska will allow a possible third opening to be filled by a Thomas or Scalia. The crucial fifth Justice. I think they'd be willing to join with McCain & Linds & Specter& Chafee and prevents a vote. What about lower court judges? Still being filibustered.

Therefore, no reason to vote/support Reps this fall (excepting Blackwell, Erlich, Steele and Kyl) because a) they haven't kept their campaign promises b) I no longer trust them.

[EternalVigilance]

What's next, cries of "racism"?

He beat you to the trick...the race card came out a couple posts before yours.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Pretty much.

BTW, where did you find that neat graphic?

[JeffAtlanta]

Right. All illegals look alike don't they? Don't bother telling me that you're not a racist.

Ah I was wondering when the racist canard would come up.

By your logic, how do really know that the agricultural and service industries would suffer without illegals? They don't all look alike so maybe everyone that works in those industries are legal citizens.

[Serenissima Venezia]

Don't send the request back unopened - include a note as to why you aren't supporting them anymore. I've been doing this ever since GW called the Minutement "vigilantes". At least they have to pay the return postage and I get a teeny bit of satisfaction. Not that it has helped anything...