[Dane]

But it appears you're finally getting close to admitting that it's a mini-Amnesty for those 200,000. That's encouraging.

Well you are getting close to saying that this is not a blanket amnesty and is actually for people who want to keep families together. That is what this really about.

200,000 people mostly by not fault of their own became illegal, such as entering on a valid visa getting married and the beauacracy makes them illegal because their visa ran out.

But knowing you, you will automatically think that the all of these people didn't get married for love but had other ulterior motives.

That is who this bill was trying to help.

[Sabertooth]

Well you are getting close to saying that this is not a blanket amnesty and is actually for people who want to keep families together. That is what this really about.

200,000 people mostly by not fault of their own became illegal, such as entering on a valid visa getting married and the beauacracy makes them illegal because their visa ran out.

Actually, Dane, I've always said that this isn't a blanket amnesty. Several times to you in the past few days.

Your comments about why those 200,000 are Illegal are incorrect. Go read the legislation and INS explanaitions of 245(i) above. That's why I posted them for you, so that you'd no longer have an excuse for believing and spreading false information.

[angkor]

such as entering on a valid visa getting married and the beauacracy makes them illegal because their visa ran out.

You should take a look at some of the Usenet discussion lists on marital and fiancee visas. The procedures and the rules are quite clear, and most people follow them. Brits, Canadians, French, everyone.

So why on earth should an exception be made for scofflaws? The entire procedure for entering the US on a fiancee visa takes 60 to 90 days, and a marital visa 6 to 12 months. Is there some sort of excessive burden in that? There shouldn't be, since the issuance of a legal family visa is virtually 100 percent guaranteed, and is processed as a first priority visa by both the State Dept. and the INS. There is no higher priority visa than a family reunification visa.

Given that, what could possibly be the moral justification for forcing so many to adhere to the procedures, yet allowing so many more to avoid the legal process? What is the problem with the eligible citizens going home, applying for a legal famiily visa, and returning within 60 to days to a year?

Dane, I cannot fathom your incessant whining about a process that is clear, legal, guaranteed, and morally fair.

[AAABEST]

200,000 people mostly by not fault of their own became illegal, such as entering on a valid visa getting married and the beauacracy makes them illegal because their visa ran out.

Again you speak before having your facts straight. Once you're married, you are automatically resident alien status. Under current law any immigrant with immediate family under legal satus can apply and become a legal resident already. This bill changes none of that so the family values argument is a lot of crap.

This bill specifically states that anyone who is here, legally or illegally can apply for "legal" status. You can tap dance around and try to make it look like something it isn't, but that doesn't change what it is.

Just a question. I haven't read anything about a ceiling, so I'm wondering how they came up with 200,000 applicants. Anyone know how this figure was arrived at?

[Marine Inspector]

Well you are getting close to saying that this is not a blanket amnesty and is actually for people who want to keep families together. That is what this really about.

The majority the illegal aliens that applied for 245(i) in 2001, were employee sponsored, and had no family in the US. 245(i) will keep some families together, but that is not what it is about. Also, after the 2001 245(i), marriage fraud cases increased.

200,000 people mostly by not fault of their own became illegal, such as entering on a valid visa getting married and the beauacracy makes them illegal because their visa ran out.

This is also a false statement. If they entered legally, and got married to a US citizen and filed the proper paperwork before their visa expired, then they would not need 245(i). But they did not file their paperwork on time or they let their visa expire before getting married or filling the proper paperwork. If they need 245(i), it is because they entered the US illegally or failed to file the proper paperwork on time. The fault is theirs alone.