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.
Don't think so...I heard the same all morning.
You are correct; there's no stopping her now.
Are the two OK senators in opposition? I would think they would be. And Vitter is a Giuliani backer and may not be reliable, but I don’t think he would back amnesty. Forget ol’ Lott and Cochran, MS wants illegals in large numbers to work in that humid climate.
Really, the true Bush colors go back to Prescott Bush in the 1950s.
Amnesty Update: Setting the Numbers Straight
Since 1970, the population of the US has increased by 100 million; since 1990; by 53 million; and since 2000 by 20 million or the equivalent of our six largest cities. The Bureau of the Census projects that we will have 364 million by 2030 [that works out to 63 million more people in the next 23 years or the equivalent of the current population of the UK] and over 400 million by 2050 with one-quarter of the population being Hispanic. These numbers could be revised upwards if this bill passes.
The annual arrival of 1.5 million legal and illegal immigrants, coupled with 750,000 annual births to immigrant women, is the determinate factor of three-fourths of all U.S. population growth. These additional people will require infrastructure [roads, water, electricity, gasoline, etc.], and impact our schools, hospitals, social welfare systems, penal system, etc. Couple these increases with an aging US population faced with entitlement programs about to go belly-up in 10 years and you have some serious public policy issues that could threaten the future of this country.
Another suggestion, no matter what politicians you support, withhold donations or monetary support to anyone who is connected to this in any way!................No more money........
The pubbies in the house were the one thing stopping this freight train. Unfortunately, they lost in ‘06.
100 million has a way of growing exponentially, doesn’t it?
“If this is supposed to be for 10 to 12 million, I predict that the math will hold: 30 million plus illegal invaders will be handed the most precious franchise on earth, American citizenship.”
You’re forgetting about the possible provision for family members. One of the posters above has already put the number at over 100 MILLION with such a provision. If that provision is there, IT IS WORSE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE.
DeMint is a big free trader. I don’t know his position on amnesty, but he is supposedly a lot better than his McCaniac colleague from SC.
We need to form a third party if this bill passes. The very future of the nation is at stake.
I’ve heard it could be as high as 70 million.
At this rate, Arnold will follow Hillary. Terrible.
Still of Giuliani, Romney, and McCain, we can rejoice that two of them will not be nominated for president. That’s the only good news thus far.
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