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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

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.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Government; Mexico
KEYWORDS: aliens; amnesty; buildthewall; bushamnesty; bushobl; cw11; cw2; deal; illegals; immigrantlist; immigration; nau; struck; traitors
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To: NormsRevenge
"There are just some people who don't want to close on this.

Yeah, you fat, drunk, murdering, bast*rd. Those people are called "AMERICANS"!!!

21 posted on 05/17/2007 10:24:12 AM PDT by NRA2BFree ("The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves!")
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LaDy MILCON is pleased.
milcon
MILCON

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., left, and Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, participate in a news conference on agriculture and immigration reform, Tuesday, May 15, 2007, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)


22 posted on 05/17/2007 10:24:15 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... A nation bent on being consigned to the dustbin of history, we weep for thee.)
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To: TheRiverNile

A police officer in Wisconsin was killed last night by an illegal with 5-6 SS #’s. The Senate and President Bush have sold us out, and they do not care about the citizens of the country. The country is overwhelmingly against amnesty, yet Kennedy, Lindsey ‘dimwit’ Graham and the President are not listening.


23 posted on 05/17/2007 10:24:19 AM PDT by milwguy
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To: NormsRevenge
It may already be past the tipping point but this is definitely the end of the America that I know. A sad day it is.
24 posted on 05/17/2007 10:24:30 AM PDT by Parley Baer
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To: NormsRevenge

“Although the legislative language is not available yet, these are the key components of the compromise:

* An immediate amnesty for nearly all 12-20 million illegal aliens who will get legal status for residence and jobs (with assurance of green cards no later than 13 years);

* Mandatory workplace verification and some extra enforcement to try to slow the flow of the next 12 million illegal aliens enticed by the amnesty;

* Tripling of the rate of chain migration of extended family from around 250,000 a year to around 750,000 a year for about a decade; and

* New flows of 400,000 temporary foreign workers each year, bringing their families and having anchor babies who will be given U.S. citizenship.”

We DO NOT enforce the current immigration laws...who’s going to enforce these?


25 posted on 05/17/2007 10:24:53 AM PDT by Kimberly GG (DUNCAN HUNTER '08.....lframerica.com.....MARCH TO TAKE BACK AMERICA)
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To: TheRiverNile

Bush has finally revealed his true colors by conspiring with Ted Kennedy and the Mexican Government to ruin America.

In the process he signing the death warrant for the Republican Party.


26 posted on 05/17/2007 10:24:54 AM PDT by ZULU (Non nobis, non nobis Domine, sed nomini tuo da gloriam. God, guts and guns made America great.)
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To: NormsRevenge
One of the key negotiators, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said he expects President Bush to endorse it.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy's immigration policy will do for America what it did for his brother Bobby.

27 posted on 05/17/2007 10:25:11 AM PDT by Boston Blackie
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Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., right, accompanied by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 9, 2007, to discuss immigration reform. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)


28 posted on 05/17/2007 10:25:26 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... A nation bent on being consigned to the dustbin of history, we weep for thee.)
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To: Kimberly GG

“some extra enforcement to try to slow the flow of the next 12 million illegal aliens enticed by the amnesty”

SOME????

SO MUCH FOR BORDER SECURITY FIRST!!!


29 posted on 05/17/2007 10:26:19 AM PDT by Kimberly GG (DUNCAN HUNTER '08.....lframerica.com.....MARCH TO TAKE BACK AMERICA)
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To: cripplecreek

I am a member of this group and it is effective. Conserv-Liber. ought to unite and fax every Pub Senator they can to see if we can get 41 Pubs to stop amnesty. Mon. night is the vote. Bush has simply lost the election for us in ‘08. McCain is done. I want to see how Mitt, Rudy, Fred respond to this cave-in. To please illegals over and against legal immigrants and real citizens is simply insane. I cannot wait till Bush leaves the WH. Unfortunately, unless Pubs unite we will surely lose in ‘08 and Bush will be the reason.


30 posted on 05/17/2007 10:26:27 AM PDT by phillyfanatic
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To: traditional1

Only two Republicans currently running for President, oppose this and any other “immigration bill,” i.e. Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo.


31 posted on 05/17/2007 10:26:53 AM PDT by zerosix (Native Sunflower)
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To: NormsRevenge
Uncle Teddy sponsored the 65 immigration bill that got the whole ball rolling.

Apparently the fat bastard isn't yet done destroying the country.

32 posted on 05/17/2007 10:27:16 AM PDT by skeeter
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To: NormsRevenge
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.

Yeah right. Painstaking backdoor negotiations=sipping Martini's and laughing at us sheeple is more like it.

33 posted on 05/17/2007 10:27:17 AM PDT by panthermom (DUNCAN HUNTER 2008)
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To: NormsRevenge
Does anyone have info on which ones voted yes?

Carolyn

34 posted on 05/17/2007 10:27:51 AM PDT by CDHart ("It's too late to work within the system and too early to shoot the b@#$%^&s."--Claire Wolfe)
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To: NormsRevenge

We are back to Rome in the 4th century with barbarians streaming across the borders unchecked. If you are under 30 you will live to see America on par with Brazil.


35 posted on 05/17/2007 10:28:02 AM PDT by Timedrifter
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To: NormsRevenge

I heard Rush today that the GOP is toast in 2008. I think we are all toast as well. More illegals are coming to take over our jobs.


36 posted on 05/17/2007 10:28:31 AM PDT by pctech
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Comment #37 Removed by Moderator

To: Kimberly GG

An immediate amnesty for nearly all 12-20 million illegal aliens who will get legal status for residence and jobs (with assurance of green cards no later than 13 years)

What about the folks still being processed from 20 years ago?

Thanks for posting that info.


38 posted on 05/17/2007 10:29:08 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... A nation bent on being consigned to the dustbin of history, we weep for thee.)
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To: Kimberly GG

AND....

WHO’S going to DEPORT all of the MILLIONS of illegal aliens who are NOT working and don’t qualify for a work visa???


39 posted on 05/17/2007 10:29:26 AM PDT by Kimberly GG (DUNCAN HUNTER '08.....lframerica.com.....MARCH TO TAKE BACK AMERICA)
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To: Kimberly GG
This is very sad.

What is the impact? Americans were the LAST to find out what was actually planned.

The 43rd Co-president and Co-Excellency of the USA


The 44th Co-Presidents of the USA

40 posted on 05/17/2007 10:29:43 AM PDT by Diogenesis (Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum)
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