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.
I can count on my congressman (Tim Walberg) He was elected over an incumbant RINO and he had the endorsement of the Minuteman PAC.
U boat commander Ted gloating about his deal now.
So now quick legal status is the latest euphemism for amnesty. Is that AP's wordcraft, or is that what the Senators are using? It looks like the quotation marks are coming off "amnesty".
LOU DOBBS..we need you tonight! Get on this.
Arlen Specter is brain damaged..so are McCain/Kennedy. Someone check them out for Dementia.
LIARS!! It's amnesty!!!
sw
I know a person who is spending thousands of dollars (Immigration will let an on-time application sit on a pile while the timeline expires, then tell the applicant that they have to reapply and PAY again) and waiting for months doing things the legal way — and the incentive is...?
What we need to do is become super-active in primaries. Throw out ALL the RINO b@$t@rd$ and replace them with true patriot conservatives. Goober Sen. Lindsey Graham for example.
This is all about Social Security.
“Heads of household would have to return to their home countries first.”
Why not the whole family? Too much impact on the manufacturing and roofing segment?
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???
BUY stock in GRAYHOUND.
A migrant tries to cross into the U.S. from the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juarez, under the bridge that connects the border city with El Paso March 6, 2006. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators reached agreement on Thursday on an immigration reform bill that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants and establish a merit-based system for future migrants, lawmakers said. (Stringer/Reuters)
an immigration reform bill that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants and establish a merit-based system for future migrants
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those proficient at climbing fences will be docked points in the merit-based system to make it more fair. :-)
Only 2% work in ag. The lowlife SCUM in washington!
Nice knowing you America. I will miss you.
Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, flanked by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., left, and Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 10,2007, after a conference to discuss immigration reform. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
I hope the BOrder Patrol is out today, because I don’t see why millions of Mexicans wouldn’t pour over the borders to get to be a part of this.
If Bush endorses this, he'll become the worst Republican president of all time in my opinion. Actually, he's already in the running even without this. If we make enough noise, maybe we can stop this, like the Harriet Miers appointment.
It’s AMNESTY, actually.
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