Deal struck on immigration bill (in the Senate, now over to the House for action)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 5/17/07 | Julie Hirschfeld Davis - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of senators reached agreement with the White House Thursday on an immigration overhaul to grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. and fortify the border against new ones.

One of the key negotiators, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said he expects President Bush to endorse it.

The deal came after weeks of painstaking closed-door negotiations that brought the most liberal Democrats and the most conservative Republicans together with Bush's Cabinet officers to produce a highly complex measure that carries heavy political consequences.

It set the stage for what promises to be a bruising battle next week in the Senate on one of Bush's top non-war priorities.

This is a breaking news update. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican and Democratic senators huddled Thursday trying to close in on an immigration compromise to grant quick legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants while fortifying U.S. borders against new ones.

A group of lawmakers that has been haggling over the terms of agreement for weeks were reviewing language negotiated Wednesday night in efforts to nail down a deal. Among the final sticking points was a stubborn dispute over how much family ties count toward green cards under a new "point system." The plan prioritizes advanced skills and education levels for future immigrants.

Two of the lead negotiators, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Lindsey Graham (news, bio, voting record), R-S.C., booked time for Thursday afternoon in the Senate's radio-TV gallery for an announcement.

But Kennedy said some were hanging back as an agreement inched closer.

"There are just some people who don't want to close on this. There comes a time in every negotiation where people have to close," Kennedy said. "Today is it."

Kennedy said Thursday was likely the last chance for a compromise before senators scattered for a three-day weekend.

"The immigration reform legislation has come to a boiling point," Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., said just before going into Thursday's meeting. "We've tried to come to a consensus and I think we are very, very close, but every time we grasp it, it eludes a final resolution."

If no deal emerged, Senate Democrats were to vote Monday evening to bring up an immigration measure that passed last year over the objections of most Republicans, who have said they will block it. That would be a highly partisan start to the immigration debate, which divides the two parties and exposes fissures within their ranks.

Even with a bipartisan agreement, the immigration debate could easily devolve into a free-for-all in the unruly Senate.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., has said he wants to complete a bill before Memorial Day, and President Bush says he wants to sign one by summer's end.

[SittinYonder]

Based on my Heritage alone, stacked against a non-Citizen, absolutely.

I'm not asking you about non-citizens. I'm asking you if you believe that your heritage makes you a better class of citizen than first generation citizens. You've twice not answered the question.

especially if all you can do is attempt to denigrate my long Heritage in this Country

I've done nothing of the sort.

Go troll somewhere else now ya' hear

Pound sand.

[SheLion]

We all know that Bush and Vicente Fox are joined at the hip.  There is no way Bush will go against his "southern brother!"

Vicente is the dominant figure over Bush.

The following is from a documentary from Fox News.  Fox interviewed a man and wife that live on the border:

(I was VERY disappointed with O'Reilly tonight.  He is all for this immigration bill!!)

This border issue is unreal.

Fox News did a documentary interviewing a Border Patrol man and his wife (last year), who live in a trailer right on this side of the fence.  They are BEGGING for our government to send help down to them, ANY kind of help.  Even if is our  National Guards.

Night after night, the Border patrol and his wife wearing night goggles take pictures for proof.  Thousands are coming across in hordes.  And that IS night after night. Fox News even showed the video tapes that the Border and his wife have been  taking of these people jumping the fence and running.

The Fox Newsman (I forget his name.  He has the gray hair, is tall, thin with a long thin face), spent the night with this couple, also using night goggles to watch for himself.

The next morning, they walked about the yard.  She said that they are NOT all Mexican's.  That they have found the books of the Koran and prayer rugs dropped in haste as the people jumped the fence and ran on into our Country.

She showed the rugs and the books to the Fox Newsman.  It was horrifying. 

What with all the Mosque's in our Country, what better shelter for the terrorists to find shelter?  They are here, people.  Scattered all over the United States.

What with all the Mosque's in our Country, what better shelter for the terrorists to find shelter?  They are here, people.  Scattered all over the United States.

Here is an updated map of where all the Mosque's are, which is outdated.  Many more Mosque's have moved into our Country since.  Look and weep for our Country.

[maxter]

"Clinton did a better job than Bush."

I don't think so.

[dragnet2]

Bush’s continued push on immigration reform just PRIOR to ‘06, in what he KNEW was a critical election year, is what lost us both the House and the Senate!

Correct! It wasn’t the war, it was illegal immigration !!!!

Agree.

[B. Chezwick]

Unless you have proof to back up such accusations, then I suggest you refrain from making them. The reason I support amnesty is simply because I see no other peaceful way to deal with the situation concerning American guest workers.

[Prokopton]

explain your ridiculous blanket statement that the Mexicans are moochers killing thousands of people. Shame on YOU.

Most illegal aliens in this Country are Mexicans.

40% of illegal aliens are on some type of welfare. This is twice the rate of legal citizens.

2000, or more, murders are committed by illegal aliens every year. This is a rate 3 times greater than legal citizens.

These are the facts. Not all Mexicans illegally in this Country are on welfare or are criminals but a large number of them, a disproportionally large number, are.

[EternalVigilance]

The numbers don’t lie. Employer enforcement plummeted to almost nothing in the first several years of this administration.

[SheLion]

The idiot lawmakers promise us the moon to get our vote. Once in office, all they give us is the OUTHOUSE!

[sand88]

Or was that just an illusion?

give me a break,that's apples and oranges. I lived in Florida and had many Cuban friends. I wont repeat what they say about Mexicans and such. Most Cubans are strong believers in capitalism and America. Look up the voting results for the 2002, 2004 and 2006 elections, the Republicans couldn't get anywhere near a majority. One would have to be delusional to believe the Reps will get any where near a majority. A vast majority of "new citizens" will be a lock for the demo party.

[JerseyHighlander]

You are a moron and should be temporarily banned from this forum.

[jragan2001]

Right on phillyfantatic-Numbers USA, to me, has been a sort of a “Godsend” as far as being on top of the Illegal Alien situation. Roy Beck and his staff at NumbersUSA deserve our congratulations and our support as far as being there as a relay point between us U.S. citizens and our consituents on Capitol Hill. These next few days are going to be EXTREMELY crucial for the well-being of this nation.

[BlackbirdSST]

Based on my Heritage alone, stacked against a non-Citizen, absolutely. I'm not asking you about non-citizens. I'm asking you if you believe that your heritage makes you a better class of citizen than first generation citizens. You've twice not answered the question. especially if all you can do is attempt to denigrate my long Heritage in this Country I've done nothing of the sort. Go troll somewhere else now ya' hear

STICK THIS ONE IN YOUR SPIN CYCLE. You interjected yourself on behalf of a NON-CITIZEN. You have multiple times attempted to compare my CITIZENSHIP to that NON-CITIZEN. On top of that, this NON-CITIZEN you wish to rally around is A KNOWN RACE BAITER. Get over your self. Go troll elsewhere.

Pound sand.

Back at ya! Blackbird.

[SheLion]

[de meanr]

C’mon, Chez, like I said before... we don’t mind them being here, we just want them to come legally.

A peaceful way to handle it is:

1 - Build a fence along the length of the border

2 - go after the employers like the IRS goes after tax evasion; fines, jail time, and property siezure

3 - withold federal funds from any State or municipality that offers social services to illegals like health, education, etc.

The illegals will find their own way back across the border.

[jragan2001]

Don’t forget Ol’ Frat Boy Bushie got together with Chappaquiddick Kennedy on the No Child Left Behind Act (aka Every Child Left Behind) and look what a Boondoggle that has turned into!!

[B. Chezwick]

Once the amnesty bill is passed, and provided guest workers follow the provisions of the bill, they will be here legally. So this will all soon be a non issue.

[jragan2001]

It’s already starting to happen in some parts here locally in Gwinnett County GA with all of the hispanic gangs and the graffiti-not to mention the out-of-control suburban sprawl. I look forward to leaving this area!

[de meanr]

Unfortunately, if it’s passed, that’s the best case scenario.

I’m certainly not convinced it’ll stop even then. It didn’t stop after the amnesty in ‘86. Just encouraged it and illegal immigration got worse.

No, the best way to handle it is build a fence, crack down on employers, and withold social services. Take away any incentive to be here illegally.

[PeskyOne]

Thanks for the information.

I am not only outraged and disgusted with this immigration bill because of the harm it does to our nation, but a Senator from my State has participated in orchestrating it...Lindsey Graham! Jim DeMint has already labeled the bill an "amnesty bill" and the spin can't change that, and he opposes it. Now I will go to work to get someone to run against Graham and defeat him next year. This bill, if passed, will insure the death of the Republican Party, IMO. We will become a one party - Democrat - government, because the majority of these illegals will vote Democrat. Once again Bush has allowed Ted Kennedy to use him, and this time he's not just damaging Bush's character, he's destroying the United States with his Socialist ideas. I'm really upset with Bush, and am going to tell him tomorrow that he has betrayed the very people who elected him, supported him, and stayed loyal the past 7 seven years.

I tried to call Graham today, but his mailbox was full. I'll try again tomorrow, and I'll send him an e-mail also. I think the most important thing now is to get this bill killed immediately! Maybe when these Congressmen realize we mean business and we give them the names of the candidates we are going to support against them, they'll get the message about who they work for! Graham has been carrying water for McCain for 8 years, and McCain does not represent the people of SC!

[Prokopton]

C’mon, Chez, like I said before... we don’t mind them being here, we just want them to come legally. A peaceful way to handle it is: 1 - Build a fence along the length of the border 2 - go after the employers like the IRS goes after tax evasion; fines, jail time, and property siezure 3 - withold federal funds from any State or municipality

that offers social services to illegals like health, education, etc. The illegals will find their own way back across the border.

Everyone knows this will work. Those that argue nothing will work so we must have amnesty are either lying or just being disingenuous. It is clear that those posting here who support amnesty and/or this senate proposal do not want a solution to this problem that is good for U.S. citizens, they want a solution that is good for illegal aliens/Mexicans. I defy anyone to point out one thing in the Senate proposal that is more advantageous to the average U.S. citizen than what we have now. All the gravy is for citizens of other countries. This issue has focused people on just who is for the U.S. and who only cares about their own financial or other parochial interests.

The wheat is being separated from the chaff.