Senate grapples with illegal immigration

AP on Yahoo ^ | 3/27/06 | Suzanne Gamboa - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senators writing an immigration bill broke from the House's get-tough approach by refusing Monday to make criminals of humanitarian groups or individuals who help illegal immigrants with more than emergency assistance.

Catholic clergy, immigrants and other groups rallied over the weekend in Los Angeles and other cities and again Monday at the Capitol against a bill the House passed in December that would make such assistance a felony.

Meanwhile, President Bush used a naturalization ceremony swearing in 30 new citizens from 20 countries to warn critics of his proposal to let some illegal immigrants remain in the United State against stoking anti-immigrant feelings.

"The immigration debate should be conducted in a civil and dignified way," the president said as the Senate prepared to tackle the hot-button election issue of what to do with the nation's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants this week.

The Senate Judiciary Committee rejected a proposal Monday from Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, to require humanitarian groups providing food, medical aid and advice to illegal immigrants to register with the Department of Homeland Security.

The panel adopted an amendment by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., that would protect humanitarian organizations from prosecution for providing more than simple emergency aid to such immigrants.

"Charitable organizations, like individuals, should be able to provide humanitarian assistance to immigrants without fearing prosecution," Durbin said.

The committee faces a midnight deadline for completing a bill with a version of the "guest worker" program that Bush wants for illegal immigrants. The House rejected that program and Majority Leader Bill Frist has said the Senate will start debating a bill Tuesday without it if the committee fails.

Overhauling the nation's immigration laws "is not going to be easy," Bush said at the naturalization ceremony at Constitution Hall two blocks from the White House.

"No one should play on people's fears or try to pit neighbors against each other," Bush said. "No one should pretend that immigrants are threats to America's identity because immigrants have shaped America's identity.

"No one should claim that immigrants are a burden on our economy because the work and enterprise of immigrants helps sustain our economy," the president said. "We should not give in to pessimism. If we work together I am confident we can meet our duty to fix our immigration system and deliver a bill that protects our people, upholds our laws and makes our people proud."

Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, calls for tougher border security have dominated debate over the knotty problem of controlling immigration.

But a tough immigration-enforcement bill passed by the House last year has galvanized forces that want worker programs for illegal immigrants already in the country.

"We will not accept enforcement-only approaches," said Cecilia Munoz, vice president of the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic advocacy group.

Immigration reform advocates rallied Monday at the Capitol, where more than 100 members of wore handcuffs to protest the House bill's criminalization of their aid programs for poor immigrants.

More than 500,000 people rallied in Los Angeles on Saturday, demanding that Congress abandon the House-passed measures that would make being an undocumented immigrant a felony and erect a 700-mile fence along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border. Similar but smaller protests were held in Dallas, Phoenix, Milwaukee and Columbus, Ohio, among other cities.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, said Monday it would be unrealistic to round up and deport the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. Instead, he told CBS' "The Early Show," the United States should create a "path toward legalization" based on whether the immigrants are law abiding, pay takes, are learning English or demonstrate other "positive behavior."

Senators up for re-election this year are being forced by the debate to juggle the demand from voters for tighter borders to keep out terrorists and businesses who look to the tide of immigrants to help fill jobs.

Employers and immigration advocates prefer a bill drafted by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., that would allow illegal immigrants to become eligible for permanent residency after working for six years. Both McCain and Frist are likely candidates for the Republican presidential nomination next year.

Another approach offered by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., would let illegal immigrants get temporary work permits for up to five years. They would have to leave the United States but could then apply for legal re-entry.

[NormsRevenge]

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., left, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. confer as the Senate Judiciary Committee considers immigration legislation during a mark-up hearing on Capitol Hill Monday, March 27, 2006. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

[NormsRevenge]

Specter and Leahy,, The brain trust of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Our nation's fate may well be in these fellas hands.


Not a comforting thought, eh?

[staytrue]

Specter and Leahy

It could be worse. Right now it is Specter/Leahy. It could be Leahy/Specter.

[robowombat]

'that would protect humanitarian organizations from prosecution for providing more than simple emergency aid to such immigrants.'

Ah, thank you republicraps for taking a hint from Dick the Turban.

[stopem]

PASS HR 4437 PERIOD END OF STORY!!

[Daytyn71]

George W had an incredible opportunity right after September 11th to mobilize our national guard troops on the Border to stop the influx of illegals (and terrorists) in the name of Homeland Security. There would have been little debate or outcry by the Left in the days after September 11th had he done what should have rightfully been done to protect Americans. What a wasted opportunity!!

I'm doubtful that this Bill or any meaningful immigration legislation will be hammered out during the remainder of his presidency.

[Travis McGee]

QUISLING: a synonym for traitor, someone who collaborates with the invaders of his country.

[Euro-American Scum]

Senate grapples with illegal immigration

Senate caves to illegal immigration is more like it.

[Roamin53]

"It could be worse. Right now it is Specter/Leahy. It could be Leahy/Specter."


And just how would that be different? It appears the committee is being run by Spector/kennedy/feinstein/leahy.

[LS]

I just e-mailed AND wrote both OH Senators to oppose the senate bills and favor the Sensenbrenner bill. Got the standard boiler plate from DeWine, but it DOES indicate that he is answering mail on this and shows how serious they are feeling the heat.

[antceecee]

Tweedledum & Tweedledee....

[joesnuffy]

Overhauling the nation's immigration laws "is not going to be easy," Bush said at the naturalization ceremony at Constitution Hall two blocks from the White House.

Is that a threat or a promise Mr. President?

[joesnuffy]

Overhauling the nation's immigration laws "is not going to be easy," Bush said at the naturalization ceremony at Constitution Hall two blocks from the White House.

Is that a threat or a promise Mr. President?

[Pessimist]

"We will not accept enforcement-only approaches,"

Illegals get to choose what they will or will not accept?

Gee, that's a great premise to start from, huh?

[Froufrou]

"No one should claim that immigrants are a burden on our economy because the work and enterprise of immigrants helps sustain our economy," the president said.

This is so WRONG! What percentage of entitlements does he think they consume?!

[goldstategop]

In other words, business as usual. Various groups in our country can still flout our immigration laws. The Senate's idea of national sovereignty is a joke upon the American people.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[technomage]

It could be worse. Right now it is Specter/Leahy. It could be Leahy/Specter.

And the difference would be............??

[frogjerk]

"No one should claim that immigrants are a burden on our economy because the work and enterprise of immigrants helps sustain our economy,"

Visit any local hospital to find illegal immigrants using the emergency room as their own doctor's office. Illegal immigration is killing the health care industry for all of us.

[DumpsterDiver]

Senate caves to illegal immigration is more like it.

Sign found in the men's restroom at the Senate office building.

[Travis McGee]

Overhauling the nation's immigration laws "is not going to be easy," Bush said at the naturalization ceremony at Constitution Hall two blocks from the White House.

"Don't worry Vincente, I'll just call the new amnesty a 'guest worker program.'

My peons are so stupid, they won't figure it out for years."

[butternut_squash_bisque]

Gutless, spineless, ani-American congresscritters, are stabbing us all in the back.

Blood is squirting from my eyes, and I need some duct tape to keep my head from exploding.

[trubluolyguy]

It could be worse. Right now it is Specter/Leahy. It could be Leahy/Specter.

---

I can see how that could be similar. Not sure how it could be worse.

[staytrue]

I can see you two are of the "no difference between dems and repubs"

If you can see the difference between having a chairman specter and a chairman leahy, then the two of you are conservative moonbats.

[staytrue]

Blood is squirting from my eyes, and I need some duct tape to keep my head from exploding.

This is a common affliction on FR. It leads to incoherent babling about illegals being the root of all evil and "I got a paper cut, must be the illegals fault" syndrome.

The remedy "Take two illegals, kick them in the rear and call me in the morning"

[massgopguy]

I'm thinking of burning a Mexican Flag in fron of Ed Markey's house. What do you think I'll be charged with?

[Froufrou]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1594162/posts?page=19#19

Ping to #19. I did, thank you. I've written them many times and still do. They've no doubt on how I feel about ILLEGAL immigrants.

[MaDeuce]

The panel adopted an amendment by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., that would protect humanitarian organizations from prosecution for providing more than simple emergency aid to such immigrants. "Charitable organizations, like individuals, should be able to provide humanitarian assistance to immigrants without fearing prosecution," Durbin said.

Yes, thats right ... come on in Manuel, Mohamhead, Abdula ... make yourselves right at home. Rest up, get a good meal and a good nights sleep before your big day of terrorist attacks against American schools, malls, businesses. /sarc/

You know what ... It will take an attack on something like a school where, lets say, 500 or 600 kids are killed by terrorists who CAME IN ACROSS THE BOARDER with the help of MS13 or some such gang. I think at that point (hopfully) we'll see a few million Americans marching in the streets callings for the heads of the illegals as well as the heads of the politicians.

[Roamin53]

You mean you really consider Rino Spector a Republican.

[staytrue]

You will be charged with being a conservative expressing their opinions.

The penalty is summary execution by firing squad, I hear.

[petkus]

Have you noticed all of the Mexican flags that are being carried by the illegal immigrants in their demonstrations?

Give a Mexican flag to Cardinal Mahoney and let him fly over all of his churches!

[butternut_squash_bisque]

"Take two illegals, kick them in the rear and call me in the morning"

"Take two illegals, kick them in the rear DEPORT THEM and call me in the morning"

There; fixed that. And I feel better already, s.

[Roamin53]

The rino's make more gains for the left than all the moonbats the Dem's could put up ever.

[staytrue]

Two words on specter. Roberts and Alito.

[satchmodog9]

You know they are just going to jam it in our collective asses again.

[b4its2late]

I don't understand what there is to grapple with. If they are here illegally, send them home.

[Owl_Eagle]

Me, I was against granting Amnesty, until this weekend, several things caused me to rethink my position, and I'm hoping other FReepers will reconsider theirs:

• The massive protests in Los Angeles and other places.  All the folks in the street with their demands and the "I'm not going home so you can just forget about it" signs frightened the hell out of me.  Also, the mexican, nicaraguan, and honduran flags.  These people mean business, and I for one, have decided my country isn't worth standing up for.  So let them stay.
• A person on television from La Raza informed me that I was a racist for wanting to enforce the immigration laws of this country.  Now, I'm not really sure if this is true or not, but the charge itself is one of such gravity, that I'm willing to accept it on it's face, and the last thing I want people to think is that I'm a racist or something, so capitulation seems the best strategy.
• I heard that diversity is our greatest strength, in fact, I read that on a poster held by a highschool student with blue hair.  I can only assume this came from a well informed and unbiased educator, so without referencing what's occurred in the Balkans, Africa, etc., it sounds quite convincing.
• A union leader said a "Guest Worker" program would be good for America.  How could I argue with that?  It's not like this guy is looking to swell the dwindling ranks of unions with unskilled, dues paying, proxy voters to increase his own political capital and economic power.
• I'm convinced that these people are doing the jobs that Americans simply won't do, like picking lettuce (for $2 an hour).  And I don't want to pay $3 for a $1 head of lettuce.  Don't wrestle with the math of that statement, trying to factor in how paying someone a living wage would somehow make the price of produce increase threefold, just believe it.
• These people give our country so much and should be rewarded somehow.  Things like Whooping Cough, overcrowded - make that cozy- schools, rich and abundant jails.  They keep our welfare and social workers gainfully employed.  They give lots of business to our auto body workers and repo men.  And they contribute to the Money Transfer industry in ways no American ever could.

Please rethink your xenophobic views, Fellow FReepers!

Owl_Eagle

(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,

 it was probably sarcasm)

[Froufrou]

Take a good look at Hillary, and get used to that face. She will make this her pony and ride it all the way home.

I don't have to tell you where home is, do I? It ain't NY!

[spintreebob]

"humanitarian groups or individuals who help illegal immigrants with more than emergency assistance."

Is it "humanitarian" to give a dude a job?

The worst possible "solution" is a complicated solution that lacks honesty and guts and has a zillion loopholes open to dispute and interpretation and that keep the lawyers in money for decades.

Everybody loses but the lawyers and bureaucrats.

[VU4G10]

[technomage]

I can see you two are of the "no difference between dems and repubs". If you can see the difference between having a chairman specter and a chairman leahy, then the two of you are conservative moonbats.

Wow, it did not take long for you to degenerate into name calling. So, let me return the favor: Are you a closet liberal (or a RINO), because that is their tactics.

I will point out that Spectre is no Conservative. He is LIBERAL. He should have the guts to just switch back to the Democratic party where he started. The difference between Leahy or Spectre running the committee would be minimal.

By the way, you can see exactly how I feel on most subjects just by doing a search on my screenname. You will find I am pretty much anti-incumbent, regardless of party. Do some research next time before you start your name calling.

[inquest]

It could be worse. Right now it is Specter/Leahy. It could be Leahy/Specter.

That's something Specter and his buddies might want to consider.

[technomage]

No complaining if you're not doing anything.

I agree. My reps must know me by my first name now!

[VU4G10]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

This is what President Bush said on March 25, 2006

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060325.html

"Comprehensive immigration reform begins with securing our borders."

"To keep the promise of America, we must enforce the laws of America."

"One thing the temporary worker program would not do is provide
amnesty to those who are in our country illegally."

Look for the Impeach Bush t-shirt in this post
by Ladycalif

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1603387/posts?page=3#3

This sets the stage for the Dim's to be defeated in
even more 2006 and 2008 elections!

Any REAL Conservative knows the success
of the 2006 and 2008 elections
is electing those who secure our borders
and enforce the law of the land!

President Bush has set the example and
ensured a sweep in '06 and '08!

Only the looney left and the wrong rino's
would support illegal immigration
and amnesty for those who are in our country illegally!

Time for the real conservatives on FR,
be it Republicans, Independents or Democrats
(like Zell Miller and John O'Neill) to band together
and oust the looney left and RINO's

---

President's Radio Address March 25, 2006

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060325.html

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. On Monday, I will attend a
naturalization ceremony here in Washington. It's always inspiring to
watch a group of immigrants raise their hands and swear an oath to
become citizens of the United States of America. These men and women
follow in the footsteps of millions who've come to our shores seeking
liberty and opportunity, and America is better off for their hard
work and love of freedom.

America is a nation of immigrants, and we're also a nation of laws.
And our immigration laws are in need of reform. So at Monday's
ceremony, I will discuss my vision for comprehensive immigration
reform that will secure our borders, improve enforcement of our
immigration laws, and uphold our values.

Comprehensive immigration reform begins with securing our borders.
Since I took office, we've increased funding for border security by
66 percent, and the Department of Homeland Security has caught and
sent home nearly 6 million illegal immigrants. To improve security at
the border, we're hiring thousands more Border Patrol agents. We're
deploying new technology, like infrared cameras and unmanned aerial
vehicles, to help our agents do their job. And we're installing
physical barriers to entry, like fences in urban areas.

We're also working to end the unwise practice of catch-and-release.
For decades, many illegal immigrants were released back into society
soon after they were caught, because we did not have enough detention
space. So we're adding more beds so we can hold the people we catch,
and we're reducing the time it takes to send them back home. When
illegal immigrants know they will be caught and sent home, they will
be less likely to break the rules, and our immigration system will be
more orderly and secure. We're making good progress, but we have much
more work ahead, and we will not be satisfied until we have control
of our border.

Comprehensive immigration reform also includes strengthening the
enforcement of our laws in America's interior. Since I took office,
we've increased funding for immigration enforcement by 42 percent.
We're increasing the number of immigration enforcement agents and
criminal investigators, enhancing work site enforcement, and going
after smugglers and gang members and human traffickers.

Finally, comprehensive immigration reform requires a temporary worker
program that will relieve pressure on our borders. This program would
create a legal way to match willing foreign workers with willing
American employers to fill jobs that Americans will not do. By
reducing the number of people trying to sneak across the border, we
would free up our law enforcement officers to focus on criminals and
drug dealers and terrorists and others who mean us harm.

One thing the temporary worker program would not do is provide
amnesty to those who are in our country illegally. I believe that
granting amnesty would be unfair, because it would allow those who
break the law to jump ahead of people who play by the rules and wait
in the citizenship line. Amnesty would also be unwise, because it
would encourage waves of illegal immigration, increase pressure on
the border, and make it more difficult for law enforcement to focus
on those who mean us harm. For the sake of justice and for the sake
of border security, I firmly oppose amnesty.

In the coming days, the United States Senate plans to consider
proposals on immigration reform. This is an emotional debate. America
does not have to choose between being a welcoming society and being a
lawful society. We can be both at the same time. As we debate the
immigration issue, we must remember there are hard-working
individuals, doing jobs that Americans will not do, who are
contributing to the economic vitality of our country.

To keep the promise of America, we must enforce the laws of America.
We must also ensure that immigrants assimilate into our society and
learn our customs and values -- including the English language. By
working together, we can meet our duty to fix our immigration system
and deliver a bill that protects our country, upholds our laws, and
makes our Nation proud.

Thank you for listening.