Paper: scaled-down immigration plan in the works

Austin American Statesman ^ | February 11, 2008 | Eunice Moscoso

[3AngelaD]

House Democrats are crafting a “scaled-down” immigration reform measure despite the political minefields that surround the issue, the Roll Call newspaper reported Monday. It says that Hispanic members — including Rep. Joe Baca — are seeking five-year visas for illegal immigrants who pay fines and pass criminal background checks. Baca, a California Democrat chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Baca said the prospects for a compromise package were discussed in high-level meetings that included Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, who chairs a key immigration subcommittee, Roll Call said.

The paper added: “It’s unclear if the behind-the-scenes discussions will actually result in a bill coming to the floor, but Democrats say drafts of legislation already have been written and are being vetted behind the scenes.”...

[neodad]

The only path that should be allowed for illegals: Join the army. Fight for this country. Become a citizen

Starship troopers, too.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Just say NO to Illegal Alien Amnesty!! Keep calling!! It’s NOT OVER!!

U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121
U.S. House switchboard: (202) 225-3121
White House comments: (202) 456-1111
Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep
Find your US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[PubliusMM]

ANY...repeat, ANY process that places a mantle of legality on these criminals is patently WRONG, and unconscionable in light of those immigrants who troubled themselves to go through the legal process.

Yes, folks, there is a legal process for immigration into the US. However, like so many other laws on the books, it appears that the apologists and appeasers are willing to selectively enforce some over others in the name of their multi-culti crap and PC BS.

1. Build the fence; secure the borders...all of them
2. Deport ALL illegals
3. Prohibit entitlement services to any and all illegals
4. Redefine ‘citizen’ to mean those born in the US to parents in the country LEGALLY
5. Prosecute employers who knowingly hire illegals; high fines per head, per day
6. Prohibit SS retirement and disability payments to NON Citizens

This backroom attempt at amnesty must be stopped as surely as the overt attempt undetaken by the talking heads, last year. The campaign against this immoral, illegal legislation should start immediately.

LaRaza be damned. Aztlan? Bull. Reconquista? Not on my watch.

Lock and Load.

[Greg F]

Well, if it’s good enough for Heinlien it’s good enough for me.

(I say end immigration in all forms and lets stop this drift and contention in the country — unify as a people — one people again . . .)

[redstateconfidential]

I have often cited that too, regards Sir,

[3AngelaD]

A comment from the Austin paper on this story, who says it better than I can: “As a PROUD HISPANIC AMERICAN, I would like to comment that...the “alleged” racism perceived by many Latinos actually originates within the Latino population itself. Especially among the “illegals”, who have come into this great country bearing a sense of uncompromising entitlement based on some delusional belief in a new “Reconquista” of the American SW. You are unwilling to assimilate into American culture in any manner whatsoever, and pledge allegiance only to your own flag and country. American taxpayers SHOULD NOT AND CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE CARE OF YOU! That is the responsibility of your home country, not ours! IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT…GO HOME! OTHERWISE SHUT UP!!!”

[TLI]

are seeking five-year visas for illegal immigrants

NO.

Any alien legally in the country for five years, no matter how, but legally for five years, is eligible to apply for citizenship.

There is nothing "scaled-down" about this. It is just another run at AMNESTY.

[Maverick68]

Solve the immigration problem tomorrow:
1: Not ONE PENNY of aid for anyone in this country illegally, at which point, the invaders will simply leave.
2: Fine into oblivion any employers or landlords who do business with illegals, and the invaders will leave.

[Just another Joe]

I'm not saying that enforcement isn't A key.

However, even enforcement isn't going to cause 15 to 20 MILLION people to leave this country.

Some type of immigration reform IS needed.

Whether it's a temp worker visa, allowing by the day/week/quarter/etc, or something else. SOMETHING is needed to control workers that are not US citizens that don't have the technical know-how needed by technical companies.

If you want to discuss this more, I have some ideas but nothing concrete that I could point to and say, "This is a plan that will work."

[Bahbah]

drafts of legislation already have been written and are being vetted behind the scenes.”...

Well, here we go again. It would be actually possible to write immigration legislation that would get a grasp on the problem and be acceptable to a majority of the citizens. However, that would require that they bring Senator Sessions into the process rather than La Raza, LULAC and the illegal immigration attorneys.

[3AngelaD]

How so? Just the threat of enforcement is causing them to leave Arizona and Oklahoma. Attrition isn’t a dirty word.

[swain_forkbeard]

I think the Roman Republic faltered in the first century BC. At that time, the Roman legions were almost 100% Italian.

[sanchmo]

Some type of immigration reform IS needed

"The reformer is always right about what is wrong. He is generally wrong about what is right." - G.K. Chesterton

[KansasGirl]

Amazing that our Gov’t officials are to incompetent to figure that out or so they want us to believe.

[Lijahsbubbe]

are seeking five-year visas for illegal immigrants who pay fines

"here's the deal, we'll tell them it's a five year visa, just to make it palatable to the idiots (taxpayers). Of course, once it's passed, we'll change it from five years to whatever we want! muahahahaha!"

[truthkeeper]

No...NO WAY. Not one more illegal.

I was just in the emergency room with my elderly mother last night (pneumonia). The place was packed with wall to wall illegals, sniffling, sneezing, and coughing. We had to be rerouted by ambulance as the other two hospitals in our southeast LA County/North Orange County area were already packed to the gills. After a 3 hour wait in the hallway on a gurney to get a room and a 5 hour wait in the room, we were finally discharged.

California can't take anymore. It's the same way with the school and highways.
FGS, Why can't these people GET IT??

[pnh102]

Whether it's a temp worker visa, allowing by the day/week/quarter/etc, or something else.

There are already plenty of such visas for which foreigners who want to legally work in the USA can apply. I don't see any need to create any new visa program, especially one which rewards these foreign criminals for breaking the law.

[KarlInOhio]

but Democrats say drafts of legislation already have been written and are being vetted behind the scenes.”

Will they let the American people vet it, or will they try to vote on it before they are posted on Congress's website like last time? Last May it went from a problem that had been ignored for a generation to an crisis that can only be handled by surrender before the Memorial Day break without any time for the bill to be handled in committee or even read by anyone.

[Greg F]

The Republic did end with Caeser and really before when the mob and demagogues took power, but the Senators continued to appeal to Republican traditions even after Emperors siezed contol. They did this with greater and lesser effect depending on the strength of the particular Emperor. We will see the same in the USA once we lose our freedoms. The tradition of freedom and limited government will continue to be remembered and discussed, and occassionally influence the government, until the civilization falls. That said, you are right, I think, that the mercenary armies and foreign armies for Rome came after the Republic fell.

[3AngelaD]

According to Joe Baca, you are selfish and xenophobic!