Posted on 05/11/2007 4:47:24 PM PDT by Reaganwuzthebest
(CBS) With protesters taking to the streets, and Americans looking to Washington for a solution, never before has immigration reform been tackled this way: Politicians at opposite ends of the debate collaborating in secret to devise a new comprehensive plan.
According to CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson, the group, which includes Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, has met for hours several times a week since March — with Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff acting as point man for the White House.
How unusual is it for Democrats, Republicans and White House Cabinet officials to be writing a bill together at the start? Sen. Graham said, "I've never done this before. I've been in the Congress now for over 12 years."
CBS News has been told the plan that could be announced next week attempts to please hardliners by spending billions to secure the border first. But all 12 million-plus illegal immigrants could stay. They'd have to register and pay fines for having entered illegally.
To become citizens, they'd go to the end of the line behind those who've already applied.
Under a new merit plan, points would be given for work skills and language: The more points, the faster they can become citizens.
And everyone — even U.S. citizens — would have to prove who they are when applying for a job.
The bottom line: An illegal immigrant here today could remain in the U.S., but would have to wait at least 13 years to become a citizen.
Negotiators agree some critics who call for mass jailings or deportations of illegals will call this compromise amnesty and oppose it, but with the House indicating it will follow the Senate's lead, it's still the last best hope for immigration reform any time soon.
"If we fail, if we cannot get this bill done, then this is it for years to come," Graham said.
That's because once this window of opportunity closes, all sides have said it'll be too close to presidential elections to tackle a subject that's such a lightning rod.
Get ready for amnesty because here it comes...
Get ready for an enraged public and a political slaughter.
A Kennedy Graham delivered soon: Door’s open, c’mon in!
Is it just me, or do conservatives get scr#wed every time the Republicans and Democrats “work together?”
“Get ready for an enraged public and a political slaughter.”
Ironically Harry Reid thinks he’s going to come out the winner in the public’s mind touting his ideas and blaming Republicans.
He said he wants a “test vote” on last year’s bill.
Fine with me.
You have to realize, Harry spends his much of his time with casino lobbyists who want a steady stream of pliable and cheaper bodies to staff their resorts. He doesn’t get hear much “diversity of opinion.”
And what do they propose for the 20 million behind this bunch?
What part of “NO AMNESTY” don’t these id10t’s understand?
And everyone — even U.S. citizens — would have to prove who they are when applying for a job.
***National ID card, here we come.
Revelation Chapt 13 reminder:
16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,
17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
This is the same bill the Senate passed last year. It’s amnesty for the 12 or is it 15 or maybe 20 million illegals who are here now. This is a bigtime sellout to citizens of the United States and unfortunately there’s not going to be the House of Rep’s to stop it this time !!!
“Get ready for amnesty because here it comes...”
Don’t be so downcast. We defeated it in the House last time and we can do it again.
like this is going to work...Kennedy got us into this mess in the first place.
I’m going to meet my congressman in the morning. He’s holding a breakfast town hall meeting in the morning. We can count on his support to oppose any amnesty.
The democrats in the House can't wait to pass amnesty. I don't know what the GOP is thinking but whatever good is in the bill will be stripped out in conference, and even if it isn't in a few years Kennedy will gut it first chance he gets.
It’s an improvement over what we have now, but that’s nothing to brag about.
Totally and completely unacceptable.
Any time Kennedy is involved , bend over. you are getting screwed.
see my tagline
They mean to say "it'll be too close to presidential elections to screw Americans that badly"
they don’t want to be citizens, they just want to rape and pillage. Sending millions of $$$’s to their poor relatives in their home country. They have no intention of becoming americans...... WAKE UP
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