Posted on 03/22/2007 5:43:35 AM PDT by Dr. Marten
"You realize that Karl Rove thinks that all these soon-to-be-former illegals will be Republicans, don't you?"
He can't possibly be that stupid on this issue?
100% correct. Most of our Senators and Reps are only representing their own paid-off views, not the views of their constituents.
PLEASE, everyone call their Representative TODAY and demand that they vote NO on this outrage to America.
I'm not concerned with what their motives might be as long as the possible results are in line with what I wish to see accomplished.
Does that include the businesses that employ illegals?
So there's no sense in punishing business so severely that American consumers are hurt by it. Instead, I think we need to focus on enforcement by policing the borders and applying existing immigration laws. Once we do that we can start thinking about creating a better legal path for people who want to come here, but not until.
Same here. Since I also have a moonbat rep., bets are that I will know the bill number before her office staff does...:((
The STRIVE Act of 2007 - At a Glance
Washington, D.C., Mar 22 -
Securing our borders
The STRIVE Act increases enforcement personnel on the border. It also requires a thorough evaluation of information-sharing, international and federal-state-local coordination, technology, anti-smuggling, and other border security initiatives to ensure that we are doing everything possible to bolster border security. The Gutierrez-Flake bill also calls for the development of multilateral partnerships to establish a North American security perimeter and improve border security on the Mexican southern border.
Strengthening interior enforcement
The Gutierrez-Flake bill increases penalties for crimes committed by immigrants, including those related to smuggling and gang activities. The legislation includes provisions to combat passport and visa fraud, and it increases penalties for trafficking in fake documents. The bill also stiffens penalties related to illegal immigration.
Bolstering employment verification
The STRIVE Act sets up an employment verification system whereby employers would be required to confirm each potential employee's eligibility to work. The new system would eventually apply to all workers and all new hires, and would be rolled out in phases, beginning with critical infrastructure employers and large employers. The legislation increases penalties against employers who do not comply with the new system.
New worker program that reflects realities of our workforce
The Gutierrez-Flake bill sets up a new worker program for low-skilled workers, when a U.S. worker cannot be found to fill a needed job. It addresses the failures and problems with past worker programs and charts a new course that better protects workers, while more effectively and efficiently meeting the needs of employers. The program mandates strong workplace protections. In addition, employers would be required to provide foreign workers with the same wages and working conditions enjoyed by U.S. workers. Workers also would have the ability to change jobs and eventually get on a path to citizenship, if they choose. The worker visa would be valid for 3 years and renewable once.
Reforming a broken visa system in a way that protects families
The STRIVE Act overhauls the family-based and employment-based immigration system to reduce backlogs and inefficiencies. The legislation provides opportunities for high skilled workers to come to, and remain in, the U.S. It also addresses employment needs in shortage occupations, such as nursing.
Earned legalization for hardworking, deserving individuals
Under the legislation, undocumented workers, who pay a fine and pass extensive and thorough background examinations, would be eligible for conditional status with work and travel authorization for 6 years. If, during those six years, the worker remains employed, continues to be an upstanding member of the community, learns English and civics, and pays any owed taxes, they could be eligible to adjust their status if they leave the country and re-enter legally.
The Gutierrez-Flake bill also includes the DREAM Act and AgJobs, as introduced in the 110th Congress.
Miscellaneous
The bill also would increase resources for the immigration court system, provides relief for immigrant victims of the 9-11 attacks and their families, and it facilitates naturalization for members of the armed forces.
Legislation would create an immigration system that meets the economic and security needs of our nation by creating laws that are tough, enforceable and realistic
Washington, D.C., Mar 22 - Congressmen Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ.) Thursday unveiled new legislation designed to fix our nation's badly broken immigration system. The legislation is the culmination of years of hard work, in-depth discussions and thoughtful negotiations by Congressmen Gutierrez and Flake.
“The bill we are discussing today is all about security--homeland security, family security and economic security,” Gutierrez said. “It will allow us to better protect our borders and reform an immigration system that is hampering businesses, hurting families and harming communities.”
“Our current immigration laws are at odds with reality,” said Flake. “This bill addresses that problem by bolstering border security, increasing interior enforcement, and creating a temporary worker program that’s enforceable and fair.”
The bill, the STRIVE Act of 2007 (Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy), would overhaul the current immigration system in a way that better protects and enforces our borders, respects the hard work and contributions of immigrants to our country and reflects the realities of our workforce and the needs of our communities.
If enacted, the Gutierrez-Flake bill would ensure that we have an immigration system in place that meets the security and economic needs of our nation by creating laws that are tough, enforceable and realistic.
Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY) said, “It is time that we pass comprehensive immigration reform that balances our nation’s security with a realistic and humane approach to dealing with the 11 million undocumented individuals already in the United States. This bipartisan legislation enforces accountability and strong border controls, while offering an earned path to citizenship to those who have contributed to our society through hard work. I thank Congressmen Luis Gutierrez and Jeff Flake for renewing their cooperation on this issue so we can finally move forward in fixing our broken immigration system.”
“This is good, common sense legislation that addresses border security and the millions of undocumented workers in our country,” said Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA). “I am particularly pleased to see the AgJOBS language included in this bill so our nation’s farmers get the help they need to put food on our tables.”
“As the son of an immigrant and a resident of Chicago, I know first-hand, that immigrants make this country strong. Those who have lived in this country for years - who have held jobs, started families and established roots in American communities - deserve the opportunity to earn their citizenship,” said Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL). “This legislation enhances protections for immigrants already living and working in the U.S., provides for effective security enforcement, assists in family reunification, encourages legality at our borders, and most importantly treats all immigrants with the dignity and respect they deserve. I am proud to join members from both sides of the aisle in introducing this reform.”
“Only a comprehensive immigration reform plan like the STRIVE Act will help us achieve an effective, lasting, and viable solution to the immigration issues facing our nation,” said Congressman Luis G. Fortuño (R-PR), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Conference.
When I first read that, I thought you were being sarcastic.
Using that logic, businesses don't really make campaign contributions to politicians in exchange for a blind government eye to illegal immigration either - they pass the cost on to the consumer - maybe the very same consumers that in turn, have to compete with low wage illegals for jobs.
And what about the businessman that plays by the rules, isn't he put at a competitive disadvantage? Perhaps he has to put off his plans for expansion when he is underbid by a cheap labor employer of illegal immigrants.
What about the taxpayer who subsidizes cheap labor employers of illegal immigrants through tax funded services?
So there's no sense in punishing business so severely that American consumers are hurt by it. Instead, I think we need to focus on enforcement by policing the borders and applying existing immigration laws.
As long as people are desperately poor and US employers are willing to employ them, people will risk life and limb to get to those jobs regardless of border controls. And as long as penalties for employers are light or nonexistent, they will continue to employ them.
What the sam hill is U.S. Congress doing legislating MEXICO's southern border...??!!!
Oh right, excuse me, NAU is "tinfoil."
The Strive Act, as delineated on FLAKE's website and released today, is the biggest giveaway of our Nation that I have ever seen. Every word of it is despicable.
Thanks for the laugh! The last time I called and asked about moonbats vote on HB800 the local office wouldn't tell me. They had to email the Washington office for an official response. I still have not heard anything. That was a couple of weeks ago.
According to the staff of my congressman, it is bill HR 1645.
I thought Rep Flake was one of the good guys. It sure didn’t take long to corrupt him did it?
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