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Posted on 03/07/2006 3:52:35 PM PST by VU4G10
WASHINGTON - Key provisions of the Senate's main immigration bill would create a "gold card" program for illegal immigrants who entered the United States before Jan. 4, 2004, and create a guest worker program to bring in more foreign laborers, according to Senate Judiciary Committee staff members.
The committee is to begin debating the measure Wednesday under a three-week timetable aimed at producing a final version for the full Senate by March 27.
Sponsored by the committee chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the legislation is designed to strike a middle course between a bill passed by the House that calls for tougher immigration enforcement and the wishes of pro-immigration advocates who call for permanent legal status -- and eventual citizenship -- for an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants.
President Bush, defying objections from conservatives, has called for an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws and the creation of a temporary guest worker program to ensure a steady source of labor for U.S. businesses. Under Bush's plan, qualified workers, including residents now living here illegally, could stay in jobs for up to six years, then would be required to return home.
Committee staff members, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said applicants for the gold card would undergo a background check by the Homeland Security Department, then be eligible for two-year work visas that could be renewed indefinitely. The workers wouldn't participate in the Social Security system but would contribute to future savings via investment accounts.
One top committee staffer described the "gold-card" proposal as "a reasonable compromise" in dealing with illegal immigrants, many of whom have lived here for decades. The undesirable alternative, he said, would be an unworkable massive roundup, which administration officials have said would cost billions of dollars.
Under the separate guest worker program, which would be based on U.S. labor needs, foreign applicants could work for three years, then apply to work for another three years before returning home. They'd be required to remain in their home country for a year before reapplying.
Advocates on both sides of the immigration debate criticized Specter's proposal as an inadequate attempt to placate opposing groups.
"Some people are going to say it's amnesty, and others are going to say it creates a second-class caste of workers," said Tamar Jacoby of the Manhattan Institute, a New York-based think tank that leans right. "It's a non-starter for both sides."
How does this remove the invaders and stop the current tide of invaders?
I am so glad that Pres. Bush helped get Senatewhore Sphincter re-elected. not.
John and Ken have been talking about this today on KFI in Los Angeles. I'm kind of getting used to this trashing by our government. Beam me up Scotty.
"Steady", CHEAP and DOCILE that is.
"gold card"
I hope the anti-ilegal immigration, pro-US groups seize on this name. It will have very negative connentations when used in this context.
You said it. Sounds like a Telly Savalas type will be personally presenting each "undocumented worker" with his gold card.
A "reasonable compromise"?? Isn't it illegal to be drinking on the job? This isn't a reasonable compromise, it's a scam that'll decimate the middle class.
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The Senators who vote for this monstrosity/amnesty will have a tough time getting re-elected. Maybe they can be "retrained", like Mr. Bush suggested for Americans who lose their jobs to cheap foreign labor.
I guess the republicans have not alienated their base enough yet. They can take this gold card and everything that goes with it and insert it where the sun doesn't shine.
They don't deserve to win the race for house and senate seats in 2006. If they think this behavior will not cost them in the coming elections they are out of their minds.
"They don't deserve to win the race for house and senate seats in 2006. If they think this behavior will not cost them in the coming elections they are out of their minds."
Actually I believe the House repubs are running against Bush on immigration this fall. The Dems are too stupid, too alienated from their base. Should be an interesting election. Repub senators could lose a few on local/personal issues, Repub house could pick up seats if they identify themselves strongly against the Senate and Bush on this issue.
Tha tears it for me. I am now a man without a political party.
There is no middle class, only middle income. Any middle ioncome person who is threatened by unskilled foreigners who do not speak English is overpaid.
Another eletist, blue-collar hater heard from. Are you in the Bush Administration?
It doesn't, it speeds it up and guarantees our country is F$^%&^ed forever.
If this goes through and GWB signs it, allowing unlimited gold card terms, I hope his ranch is overrun by illegals and then condemed via eminent domain for blight.
This is only getting worse as more comes out.
A 'Gold Card'.
Unbelievable.
L
Gold Card - it makes it sound like these people have won the lottery and are now considered to be a prviliged class of people.
I can't wait till the bots come by and try to scare me about Hillary and the RATS. The GOP is only barely better, save for some house members.
This Gold Card garbage erases the border since these people will be able to come and go as they please.
L
Illegal aliens are now finding themselves in practically every sector of the economy. And wherever they go wages depress along with them.
Didn't you get the GOP talking points fax from Melhman this morning? This is a good thing.
And not only that but if you oppose it you're xenophobic...
Believe it or not, I actually don't mind that distinction.
I would hate even more to be called a globalist who calls the almight dollar my religion and will sell out my mother for ten cents and willing screw over my fellow Americans for greed. I would hate even more to be accused of screwing over my country at the behest of a foreign leader who runs a corrupt regime and whose last name is telling of his personality.
We're being sold out, I just hope by 2008 we can elect the right people.
I just came from a convenience store where I tried to tell the legal immigrant from Bengladesh that he needs to get the merchandise organized better. He complained that good help is hard to find. We have lots of immigrants both legal and illegal, but wages keep going up, and a statewide unemployment rate of 3.3% makes it hard to find people who can keep the Pepsi and Coke straight. Sometimes, arguments you make are a refuge of the indolent. Rather than bothering to be right, you attack me with name calling. Next, I suppose you will protest cartoons youdon't like.
Permanent removeal of my name from Republican roles.
Not really. Classes are merely a way to determine differences. You are thinking of castes. We don't have that here in the U.S.
The main reason labor unions decline is that they have been so successful, according to a friend who is a lifelong Teamster. It blue collar were a class, his children would be teamsters, but they are affluent white-collar suburbanites.
Again, you are referencing a caste system. (What were you a professor of?) We have a class system the divides people here in the U.S. Do you actually believe that people in the lower class of incomes can enjoy everything the upper class does?
I just came from a convenience store where I tried to tell the legal immigrant from Bengladesh (sic) that he needs to get the merchandise organized better.
I bet you spend most of your day telling others what they are doing wrong.
He complained that good help is hard to find.
Did you suggest that he offer more money? I doubt it.
We have lots of immigrants both legal and illegal, but wages keep going up, and a statewide unemployment rate of 3.3% makes it hard to find people who can keep the Pepsi and Coke straight.
Wages, according to the BLS, have actually dropped recently.
By the way. Did you ever think of straightening the bottle of Coke or Pepsi yourself? I do. I think of others. I bet you are one of those people that leave their shopping cart in the middle of the parking space next to your car forcing someone else to move it so they can park.
Sometimes, arguments you make are a refuge of the indolent. Rather than bothering to be right, you attack me with name calling.
I didn't call you a name. I was responding to your statement. Only someone who carries disdain for the working class could say something like you said.
Next, I suppose you will protest cartoons you don't like.
I don't read cartoons.
Talk about "tone deaf."
Giving "gold cards" to criminal invaders is not only going to be a magnet for more illegal immigration, it's a wet green spit in the eye of every American.
I see no knowledge in your posts, only prejudice and nastiness. Not much of a future in people work, like politics. Your distinction between class and caste is specious and missinformed. So, I know what is actually going on in my neighborhood, but you don't. You cite the BLS. By the way, I don't have to know, as I am retired. There is, by the way, no blue collar worker who's income is as low as social security.
LOL!!!!
I'm now to the point where I wish Spectre remained too incapacitated from chemotheraphy to keep his Senate seat.
Why Bush kept this guy around is a mystery.
"Gold card" "Green card" -- Why do these alien cards reference money?
Answer: Because taxpayers pay the money for the aliens to be here.
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