milcon
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., left, and Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, participate in a news conference on agriculture and immigration reform, Tuesday, May 15, 2007, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Posted on 05/17/2007 10:16:31 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of senators reached agreement with the White House Thursday on an immigration overhaul to grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. and fortify the border against new ones.
One of the key negotiators, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said he expects President Bush to endorse it.
The deal came after weeks of painstaking closed-door negotiations that brought the most liberal Democrats and the most conservative Republicans together with Bush's Cabinet officers to produce a highly complex measure that carries heavy political consequences.
It set the stage for what promises to be a bruising battle next week in the Senate on one of Bush's top non-war priorities.
This is a breaking news update. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican and Democratic senators huddled Thursday trying to close in on an immigration compromise to grant quick legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants while fortifying U.S. borders against new ones.
A group of lawmakers that has been haggling over the terms of agreement for weeks were reviewing language negotiated Wednesday night in efforts to nail down a deal. Among the final sticking points was a stubborn dispute over how much family ties count toward green cards under a new "point system." The plan prioritizes advanced skills and education levels for future immigrants.
Two of the lead negotiators, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Lindsey Graham (news, bio, voting record), R-S.C., booked time for Thursday afternoon in the Senate's radio-TV gallery for an announcement.
But Kennedy said some were hanging back as an agreement inched closer.
"There are just some people who don't want to close on this. There comes a time in every negotiation where people have to close," Kennedy said. "Today is it."
Kennedy said Thursday was likely the last chance for a compromise before senators scattered for a three-day weekend.
"The immigration reform legislation has come to a boiling point," Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., said just before going into Thursday's meeting. "We've tried to come to a consensus and I think we are very, very close, but every time we grasp it, it eludes a final resolution."
If no deal emerged, Senate Democrats were to vote Monday evening to bring up an immigration measure that passed last year over the objections of most Republicans, who have said they will block it. That would be a highly partisan start to the immigration debate, which divides the two parties and exposes fissures within their ranks.
Even with a bipartisan agreement, the immigration debate could easily devolve into a free-for-all in the unruly Senate.
Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., has said he wants to complete a bill before Memorial Day, and President Bush says he wants to sign one by summer's end.
Yeah, you fat, drunk, murdering, bast*rd. Those people are called "AMERICANS"!!!
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., left, and Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, participate in a news conference on agriculture and immigration reform, Tuesday, May 15, 2007, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
A police officer in Wisconsin was killed last night by an illegal with 5-6 SS #’s. The Senate and President Bush have sold us out, and they do not care about the citizens of the country. The country is overwhelmingly against amnesty, yet Kennedy, Lindsey ‘dimwit’ Graham and the President are not listening.
“Although the legislative language is not available yet, these are the key components of the compromise:
* An immediate amnesty for nearly all 12-20 million illegal aliens who will get legal status for residence and jobs (with assurance of green cards no later than 13 years);
* Mandatory workplace verification and some extra enforcement to try to slow the flow of the next 12 million illegal aliens enticed by the amnesty;
* Tripling of the rate of chain migration of extended family from around 250,000 a year to around 750,000 a year for about a decade; and
* New flows of 400,000 temporary foreign workers each year, bringing their families and having anchor babies who will be given U.S. citizenship.”
We DO NOT enforce the current immigration laws...who’s going to enforce these?
Bush has finally revealed his true colors by conspiring with Ted Kennedy and the Mexican Government to ruin America.
In the process he signing the death warrant for the Republican Party.
Senator Edward M. Kennedy's immigration policy will do for America what it did for his brother Bobby.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., right, accompanied by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 9, 2007, to discuss immigration reform. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
“some extra enforcement to try to slow the flow of the next 12 million illegal aliens enticed by the amnesty”
SOME????
SO MUCH FOR BORDER SECURITY FIRST!!!
I am a member of this group and it is effective. Conserv-Liber. ought to unite and fax every Pub Senator they can to see if we can get 41 Pubs to stop amnesty. Mon. night is the vote. Bush has simply lost the election for us in ‘08. McCain is done. I want to see how Mitt, Rudy, Fred respond to this cave-in. To please illegals over and against legal immigrants and real citizens is simply insane. I cannot wait till Bush leaves the WH. Unfortunately, unless Pubs unite we will surely lose in ‘08 and Bush will be the reason.
Only two Republicans currently running for President, oppose this and any other “immigration bill,” i.e. Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo.
Apparently the fat bastard isn't yet done destroying the country.
Yeah right. Painstaking backdoor negotiations=sipping Martini's and laughing at us sheeple is more like it.
Carolyn
We are back to Rome in the 4th century with barbarians streaming across the borders unchecked. If you are under 30 you will live to see America on par with Brazil.
I heard Rush today that the GOP is toast in 2008. I think we are all toast as well. More illegals are coming to take over our jobs.
An immediate amnesty for nearly all 12-20 million illegal aliens who will get legal status for residence and jobs (with assurance of green cards no later than 13 years)
—
What about the folks still being processed from 20 years ago?
Thanks for posting that info.
AND....
WHO’S going to DEPORT all of the MILLIONS of illegal aliens who are NOT working and don’t qualify for a work visa???
What is the impact? Americans were the LAST to find out what was actually planned.
The 43rd Co-president and Co-Excellency of the USA
The 44th Co-Presidents of the USA
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