posted on April 6, 2006 08:56:19 AM new
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans and Democrats closed in on a last-minute compromise Thursday on legislation opening the way to legal status and eventual citizenship for many of the 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he had been assured President Bush supports the measure, and would publicly say so later in the day.
As outlined, the measure would provide for enhanced border security, regulate the future flow of immigrants into the United States and offer legalized status to the millions of men, women and children in the country unlawfully.
"We've had a huge breakthrough" overnight, said Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, agreed, but cautioned that the agreement had not yet been sealed.
Even so, the presence of both leaders at a celebratory news conference underlined the expectation that the Senate could pass the most sweeping immigration bill in two decades, and act before leaving on a long vacation at the end of the week.
The developments marked a turnaround from Wednesday, when it appeared negotiations had faltered. The key sticking point involved the 11 million illegal immigrants in the country, and the struggle to provide them an opportunity to gain legal status without exposing lawmakers to the political charge that they were advocating amnesty for lawbreakers.
While final details were not available, in general, the compromise would require illegal immigrants who have been in the United States between two years and five years to return to their home country briefly, then re-enter as temporary workers. They could then begin a process of seeking citizenship.
Illegal immigrants here longer than five years would not be required to return home; those in the country less than two years would be required to leave without assurances of returning, and take their place in line with others seeking entry papers.
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Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
posted on April 6, 2006 01:32:04 PM new
Not happy, this sucks and it just amounts to leinency for law breakers, I say shoot the bastards now if caught trying to enter illegally.
How the hell are they supposed to verify how long some criminal has been here? Hell they roam like cockroaches and go back and forth so much which illegal time are they supposed to accept?
This bill is bullsh!t and I have written my congressman so.
posted on April 6, 2006 04:32:50 PM new
ooo Ron baby you make me so hot with all your ultra right wing ranting about cockroaches running rampant. I bet you are going to be really ranting when you have to pay 7.00 for a tomato at Earls MightY Pac a Sac Grocery Store in Hickville USA. Those cockaroaches do all the work you wouldn't get up out of your recliner to do in a million years.
posted on April 6, 2006 06:27:33 PM new
I'll tell you something orleans I worked the fields as kid, it is dumbassed parents like you that have created this climate.
Look in the mirror before you talk.
Besides most of the produce doesn't come from the US anymore anyway so that is lame assed excuse, but probably the best you could do.
posted on April 6, 2006 07:25:02 PM new
Did you work in the fields to support your family on 50 cents an hour? Whats wrong with our little mexican friends making some money to take back to their broke ass familys? Look in the mirror? I love to look in the mirror. I love what I see smiling back at me. Do you love seeing your beer gut hanging over your all you can eat buffet knees. You are just a lazy self-rightous lawn hog that enjoys puffing up your pride at the expense of our little brown people who do our dirty work. Yes there are some that are criminal but there are lots of fat white trash criminals running around out there too. Plenty of produce comes here or we wouldn't need armys of little brown people to pick it all day.
posted on April 6, 2006 08:15:37 PM new
So for your orleans it is ok for farmers to exploit labor because these people are here illegally. That is sad commentary. You also assume most workers are illegal. But as it may be agrcultural work does not pay minimum wages for anyone.
Like I said your lame ass excuse for higher food prices is just that lame.
Ron
posted on April 6, 2006 09:31:58 PM new
Senate immigration overhaul in doubt
Thu Apr 6, 2006 11:18 PM ET
By Donna Smith
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate compromise on an overhaul of immigration law appeared to get bogged down late on Thursday in the face of opposition by some Republicans who say it would give amnesty to lawbreakers.
It appeared unlikely the Senate would approve before a two-week congressional break on Friday the radical immigration reform that would give millions of illegal immigrants a chance to earn U.S. citizenship.
The bill's backers expressed fear that failure to enact the legislation before lawmakers leave for their spring break could hurt its chances in a congressional election year.
Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada earlier hailed a "breakthrough" on the compromise bill that would include a guest worker program sought by President George W. Bush.
But the two leaders were unable to agree on how many amendments to the bill would be allowed.
Frist later accused Democrats of trying to block the bill by refusing to allow amendments. Democrats said they wanted to protect the bill from being "gutted" by Republicans opposed the bill.
"Republicans are still deeply divided on this issue, and we must protect this from those senators bent on gutting the bill with hostile amendments," said Reid.
The congressional debate over how to deal with an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants has sparked large protests in many U.S. cities against a crackdown and more demonstrations are planned in 10 cities on Monday.
The Senate is considering a compromise that would allow illegal immigrants who have been in the United States more than five years, about seven to eight million people, a chance to become citizens if they pay a fine, pay their taxes, and meet other requirements such as learning English.
BUSH CALLS FOR QUICK PASSAGE
Bush said earlier he was encouraged by the compromise and urged quick passage of the legislation.
The Mexican government in a statement called the agreement "an important step toward to establishing new mechanisms that permit legal, safe and ordered migration which respects human rights."
Any Senate bill still has to be merged with a House of Representatives version that focuses on border security and enforcement and makes it a felony, instead of a civil offense, to be in the country illegally. It also calls for constructing a fence along parts of the U.S. border with Mexico.
A number of conservative House Republicans also oppose Senate provisions that would give illegal immigrants a chance at legal status and citizenship.
"I do not believe a plan of this nature can pass the House," said Rep. Thomas Tancredo, a Colorado Republican.
The compromise also drew opposition from the AFL-CIO labor federation which said it would drive down wages for all workers and fail to treat all illegal immigrants equally.
The Senate bill would allow some three million illegal immigrants who had been in the United States less than five years but more than two years to apply for a work visa.
But they would have to travel to a U.S. port of entry to get it.
Illegal immigrants who had lived in the country less than two years, roughly 1.5 million, would have to leave to apply for a visa to re-enter.
posted on April 6, 2006 10:01:54 PM new
As I was reading the first OP...I was wondering just how the Senate planned on working out a compromise bill with the House...whose first proposals did not allow for any amnesty program.
But then bear's second article said:
"A number of conservative House Republicans also oppose Senate provisions that would give illegal immigrants a chance at legal status and citizenship."
"I do not believe a plan of this nature can pass the House," said Rep. Thomas Tancredo, a Colorado Republican.
--
Which I hope it WON'T be approved of by the House.
They speak MORE for the general public/voter and we're mostly against ANY amnesty program at all.
So...I'm still a happy camper this HAS NOT passed...and I'll continue to let my congressman/woman/rep know I DO NOT SUPPORT it either.
posted on April 7, 2006 12:13:25 AM new
I would just klike to point out that Tancredo is a nutjob who after running on a platform of term congressional term limits and promised to stay for only two even if term limits were not enacted, said that God told him it was OK to break his pledge to supporters and continue running for additional terms.
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Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
posted on April 7, 2006 12:45:29 AM new
Thanks Bear, glad to see that BS is not set in stone and hopefully will not pass. Anything that crook Fox and company like I definately am against.
We should just make Mexico our territory and be done with it.
posted on April 7, 2006 04:33:48 AM new
Whatever Farmers pay them, they work hard for it. Mexcians are some of the hardest working people in this country. Even if they get a buck an hour they are glad to get it. Even the national protest they made stayed peaceful. They are an asset to our country. They want the American Dream just like anyone else. Some jobs just can't pay a min. wage or the business couldn't make it. You have no clue.
posted on April 7, 2006 12:17:25 PM new
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., second from right, gestures during a Capitol Hill news...
Senate Vote Shelves Immigration Bill
Friday, April 7, 2006 10:53 AM EDT
The Associated Press
By SUZANNE GAMBOA
WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate sidetracked sweeping immigration legislation Friday, leaving in doubt prospects for passing a bill offering the hope of citizenship to millions of men, women and children living in the United States illegally.
A carefully crafted compromise that supporters had claimed could win an overwhelming majority received only 38 of the 60 votes necessary to protect it from weakening amendments by opponents.
LOOKS LIKE BUSH IS A QUACK QUACK LAME DUCK ON AMNESTY.
Do ya want the illegals problem to go away? Just start laying big fines on the people that hire them.
posted on April 7, 2006 12:37:15 PM new
LOL.....they'd like to...and that's why the republican's in the HOUSE proposed making it a FELONY for all those employers and everyone ELSE that aids and abets their getting into the US illegally.
It's old hillary and other DEMS who don't want the charge to be a felony...but rather STAY a misdemeanor as it currently is. LOL
Remember HER statement that they'd [the Republicans] would throw Jesus in jail????
It's the DEMS who don't want to END this illegal issue. Not the majority of republicans in the HOUSE....the dems in the Senate.
get real peepa.....READ who's opposing what....be informed for ONCE in your life.
posted on April 8, 2006 04:59:17 PM newIt's the DEMS who don't want to END this illegal issue
Linda - That's generalizing. You know that I oppose amnesty and that I think there should be stiff penalties and fines for companies that hire illegals. You also know that I'm a democrat and a liberal one at that. I don't believe we should reward criminals. Not all Democrats feel there should be leniency. None that I know do.
Cheryl
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
posted on April 8, 2006 08:27:15 PM new
Liar_k, unlike you I am not in denial. I just tell you the truth and expose your never ending lies.
Bush wants to give amnesty to 11 to 20 million people that broke American laws. Bush wants amnesty for one reason and one reason only CHEAP LABOR!!!!
DUMBO BUSH won't or can't secure our borders. Do you think DUMBO BUSH is going to enforce and fund the amnesty rules. HELL NO AND YOU KNOW IT.
HEY MIDDLE CLASS ONE THING YOU CAN BANK ON FROM CONSERVATIVES IS, AS LONG AS THE CONSERVATIVES HAVE CONTROL INDUSTRY WILL HAVE PLENTY OF CHEAP ILLEGAL LABOR AND YOUR WAGES AND BENEFITS WILL SUCK.
posted on April 8, 2006 10:19:05 PM new
cheryl - I was NOT talking about everyday citizens.....most American's [the majority] don't want any amnesty nor guest workers program.
I was referring to the dems/liberals in Congress who are the one's not agreeing with stiffer penalities for those who aid and abet the illegals....like h. clinton. They are blocking the process for making stiffer penalities.
I personally agree MORE with the House GOP version....but would take it even further than they are willing to do.
Deport ALL illegals...build that wall barrier....and have our military [N.G.] patrol our borders.
posted on April 9, 2006 06:01:14 AM new
What it comes down to is this: BOTH parties are going to do what they can to secure the Latino vote in November. That's all it boils down to. Not what's best for the United States, but what will get either party the most votes in November.
Cheryl
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
posted on April 9, 2006 06:40:25 AM new
Peepa - are you saying that a guest worker program and an amnesty program which requires the paying of fines and any unpaid back taxes is going to cost more than a comprehensive deportation program? If so, vyou are living in a dream world.
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Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
[ edited by fenix03 on Apr 9, 2006 06:40 AM ]
I am saying as long as the republicans continue to wage war against the middle and working class Americans there will be plenty of cheap labor for industry. No laws will be enforced!!!
I am saying we already had laws on the books about immigration but no one enforced them. Republican or Democrat
I am saying the vast majority of Americans are mad as hell about what is happening to America and won't take it any longer.
You asked about cost. When America stops paying the cost of the Iraq War. I will be glad to talk about the cost of some program or laws this government has no intention of funding or enforcing anyway.
A million words can be said about U.S. immigration but from this government it all boils down to CHEAP LABOR FOR INDUSTRY. Nothing more nothing less.
posted on April 9, 2006 10:46:01 AM new
I pick and choose. As do most. I don't know anyone that follows EVERY law.
And although you will never admit it, this countries economy depends on illegal immigrants and low priced labor jobs that most americans are not wiling do. In the meantime, these people have been here, they have worked, made a life for themselves, improved the lives of their families back home and paid nearly 7 Billion dollars a year into the social security system that they will never reap the benefits of.
Sorry Ron. I do not, in the least bit, feel guilty about my beliefs regarding helping these people find legal status. As long as someone works and contributes to this nation I just don't see the evil.
You b*tch all the times about people that sit on their asses and do nothing and expect everything and yet here is a group that work their asses off and expect very little and you can't stand them either.
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Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
[ edited by fenix03 on Apr 9, 2006 10:46 AM ]
posted on April 9, 2006 10:57:31 AM new
Thought you might find this interesting....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IRCA, as the immigration act is known, did little to deter employers from hiring illegal immigrants or to discourage them from working. But for Social Security's finances, it was a great piece of legislation.
Starting in the late 1980's, the Social Security Administration received a flood of W-2 earnings reports with incorrect - sometimes simply fictitious - Social Security numbers. It stashed them in what it calls the "earnings suspense file" in the hope that someday it would figure out whom they belonged to.
The file has been mushrooming ever since: $189 billion worth of wages ended up recorded in the suspense file over the 1990's, two and a half times the amount of the 1980's.
In the current decade, the file is growing, on average, by more than $50 billion a year, generating $6 billion to $7 billion in Social Security tax revenue and about $1.5 billion in Medicare taxes.
In 2002 alone, the last year with figures released by the Social Security Administration, nine million W-2's with incorrect Social Security numbers landed in the suspense file, accounting for $56 billion in earnings, or about 1.5 percent of total reported wages.
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Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
posted on April 9, 2006 03:18:26 PM new
I have the utmost respect for LEGAL immigrants and think is great they chose my country to move to.
You are right, we all pick and choose and I choose not to support illegal immigrants. They are criminals that we can and should put a stop to, all should be made to go home and once caught it should be a felony crime.
Prisons have work farms, there is an idea.... hmmm
posted on April 10, 2006 12:36:08 AM new
My hope is since they went on vacation...that when they get back to their home states all of them will be confronted by those who put them in office about NOT agreeing to amnesty nor a guest worker program.
I hope they finally 'get' what most American's want....NO guest worker programs for ILLEGALS.
But with old democratic leader, reid, not being willing to allow an amendment that would at least send Mexico's CRIMINALS back to Mexico....I'm beginning to seriously doubt they're going to reach ANY agreement when they do return.
I can't believe that reid would hold up this whole bill because HE believes illegal CRIMINALS should be INCLUDED in this guest worker program....rather than be sent home.
And I wish the republicans would QUIT trying to compromise with the dems. They do it time and time again....only to get it 'socked' to them. The sooner they realize that trying to appease the un-appeasable liberals gets them nothing....and also pisses off their strongest supporters.....the better off they'll be.
We need to gain a few more seats in the HOUSE....so we'll have the 60 votes we need to just totally IGNORE the liberals completely.
posted on April 10, 2006 06:18:57 AM new
from Time magazine....
In the telephone survey of 1004 adults, conducted Wednesday and Thursday, 79% say they favor a guest worker program that would allow illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S. for a fixed period of time the main provision of the bill proposed by Senators John McCain and Edward Kennedy that is now under fierce debate in Congress. Only 47% of those polled say they support the tougher measure backed by some House conservatives, deporting all illegal immigrants back to their home countries.
I realize you cwant to ignore all liberals Linda, but do you also want to ignore the opinions of the majority of Americans?
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Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
[ edited by fenix03 on Apr 10, 2006 06:20 AM ]
