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 ...
wonderful, isn't it?
We DO need a guest-worker program. It simply doesn't need to end up with citizenship.
We send american workers to other countries all the time to do work, and after the work is done they come back home.
There is nothing wrong with a guest worker program. Give them work visas, bring them in for specific jobs with identifiable employers, and when their time is up send them back.
Hey, if they do it legally like this, I can support county the time spend in the program toward a path to legal immigration. I don't think we can seriously expect to populate EVERY SINGLE job illegals do with legals right away.
I've always supported the guest worker program. I just don't know why Bush is saying he agrees with the Senate bill which provides a path to citizenship for illegals, which is a form of amnesty.
It's like we decide to solve all the unsolved crimes by offering all criminals the ability to come in, pay a $1000 fine, confess, and then they go scott free.
I'm on record opposing a felony crime for helping illegals, or for being illegal. I don't think merely being in a country you don't belong in should get you thrown in jail for long periods. And frankly, half the problem with illegals is how much government money goes to them.
I'm afraid that the senate compromise might still have the "let illegals get in-state tuition to state colleges".
Then what incentive wold DeWine have to govern like a conservative if he's going to get your vote anyway? Incumbants very, very rarelly lose primaries and in any event, he could easily just say that he will govern more like a conservative if reelected and then go right back being Democrat-Lite again.
He could do this over and over and he'd still get your vote because at least he doesn't have a (D) next to his name.
Harry Reid isn't running against DeWine in Ohio. What others states do with their RINO's is not my concern. I doubt very much that the GOP will lose the control of the senate in 2006 so the Harry comment doesn't bother me in the least.
My concern is with ending the pandering in Ohio now and building for the future.
You are, I'm sure, aware of how the political power structure works within the respective parties. The only way to get a conservative into DeWine's seat is to get DeWine out first. The state GOP power structure will not allow a serious challenge to an incumbent. Therefor the logical conclusion is to throw out the RINO and wait for the next time the seat comes up.
I didn't make the rules for their game, I just know how to play to win.
We haven't been sold down the river, we've been sold across the river.
Sure. How do you want to identify them?
MI, could you refer us to the breakout of apprehensions by nationality percentage?
A million thanks,
Az
Why would any illegal alien who has been here under 2 years want to leave? Wouldn't it make more sense for them to just stay another ten years illegally and be rewarded when the Senate again sells out the American people?
The same nitwit that tried to eviscerate the Patriot Act.
Somehow Arab terrorists and illegal aliens from Mexico and Central America are better people than the American citizens he purportedly represents.
He needs to retire and pursue his first love, start doing that barbershop quartet routine full-time.
I think the russians and chinese might be kicking themselves for not thinking of this a long time ago. They had plenty of people to take over our country if they just had the patience to do it a few thousand illegals at a time.
Here's the sad fact: If we sent 11 million illegals into Mexico 10 years ago, they'd have a real economy by now.
Republicans and Democrats...
The Stupid Party and the Party of Evil.
That is all I've heard the march organizers say is that they want Amnesty first, then comparable wages for these peopele. So how does this help the business community except to go out and encourage more illegals to come into this country. I'm telling you this will be the break through issue of the next election if we stay on point. Make the candidates say where they are on this and eliminate any Quisling until we get one who is for Americans first. Tancredo has my vote but watch the DEMS AND REPUBS go after him. I bet they are looking for some illegitimate child or gay lover or kitten he killed way back when. These slimeballs are treacherous.
Quoted for verity.
You believe that there are 11 million illegal chinese here? Seriously?
The ONLY way it could possibly work is to fine employers $5000 per illegal and put them in jail for one year for each illegal they employ. IF there was no work, they would go back to Mexico.
All eyes will now focus on the (people's) House in the conference committee for a dose of reality and sanity. The Senate has long been considered out of touch with the people and the nation.
I had serious doubts about the republican party before this
issue came up,...but now I have decided I will not be
voting in any elections in the near future.
As you point out,there is really no difference.
They can try to stay, but increased enforcement would address that overall.
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