Posted on 05/17/2007 10:16:31 AM PDT by 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.
Of course many won't start following rules now, but no matter, we'll probably let all that slide too.
Usted golpea un caballo muerto. La llamada Congreso, la esfera 2 para inglés y pide a la persona que contesta para dar gracias el nadador para dar la bienvenida los transgresores de la ley de México.
from the answerla.org website-this is a piece on the minutemen
of course now it’s time to play the race card
“As the Minutemen started their procession, guarded by dozens of riot police, anti-racist protestors swarmed around them on both sides of the street, chanting loudly and holding pro-immigrant signs and banners. The thousands of mostly Latino shoppers and passersby showed their support for the anti-Minutemen action, many of whom chanted with the pro-immigrant protestors and even joined us as we marched up Broadway to City Hall. Chants in English and Spanish like “Down with the Minutemen! Up with the people!” and “Minutemen racistas, son los terroristas!” rang out, drowning out the pathetic taunts of the racist Minutemen.
The multinational crowd of progressives showed their strength and unity against racism. While the Minutemen carried hateful signs calling immigrants “illegal,” progressive banners read “Alto a la guerra contra los inmigrantes,” “Say NO to racism,” “Amistía,” “The workers struggle has no borders” and more.”
I know the feds say there is 12 million, but we all know its really around 25 million. Since we all know the government lies about their numbers. However, I will keep it to 20 million just to be conservative about it.
Now factor in how many people are in each of these immigrants families. I believe the average is 4 million. They are coming too since the 20 million will get the amnesty.
Therefore, you have 20 million times 4 (the average family size per illegal immigrant) = 100 Million new immigrants.
We will a completely different country 20 years from now.
Yeah, I haven’t heard any lucid arguements to explain why this isn’t the best way to handle it. All I’ve heard is “humane” and “peaceful” and “racist”.
But really, my plan doesn’t even bother with the illegals. Just go after the people offering the incentives and the illegals will pack up and leave.
Precisely.
“It is really shocking how the majority of freepers cannot see the simple fact that it is impossible to deport 12 million immigrants.”
Without getting technical or anything I look at 12 million people getting here from Point A to their present Point B. I’d say reversing that process would actually be faster and even cheaper than the intial movement.
This is the United States. Were the guys that went to the moon. We understand difficult but we don't believe in impossible.
I'd suggest we all contact our Representatives and let them know we expect them to vote against this bill, and we mean to find candidates to run against them if they don't start representing their constituents. Let's take back our Party and not give it up, or over, to Democrats. I plan to tell Bush he not only has betrayed the people who elected him, but he will have the legacy of being the man who destroyed the Republican Party for failing to carry out existing laws!
I'll keep making them. You can count on that. Also, what "guest workers?" We don't have a guest worker program. Are you referring to all these foreigners who are in this country illegally? Send them back to their own countries. It's not our fault that you're too dumb to be able to "deal with the situation." Uphold our laws! That's the answer.
The politicians in the GOP are responsible for their losses, and nobody else.
Chezwick has to be the dumbest poster on this forum. He's for this amnesty, he thinks that conservatives are to blame for the losses in Nov '06, and that Hispanics are going to vote majority Republican. How does one become so lost?
This sure frees up a lot of time for me during the 2008 election season.
I feel sorry for you younger types, but I see the light. From now on I think it will be best for me to support Democrats and their policies and to get everything I can and more. I want to live out my days in comfort on your dime. Why worry about a third world America that will follow my passing. Let the Bush girls worry about that.
This is disguisting. I want to slap these senators....that’s as nice as I can put it.
They wanted all or nothing and that is exactly what they are getting.
Maybe next they will help HilaryCare get elected to really show how “conservative” they are.
Pray for W and Our Troops
Pienso que estoy a punto de vomitar.
Just drink the Republican Kool-Aid. After all, President Bush believes all of these things.
They not only get rewarded, they get all kinds of free benefits. Try getting free health care in this country if you are a legitimate citizen. Try having 5 kids, all delivered free at the local hospital, and then demand the tax payers and hospitals cover all your medical bills.
We need to change this ridiculous interpretation of the 14th Amendment where we grant citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants. That in and of itself would greatly reduce illegal immigration over the long run.
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