Bipartisan Immigration Deal Reached(Amnesty Details)

Orange County Register ^ | May 17, 2007 | DENA BUNIS

[kellynla]

WASHINGTON The Senate is poised to begin debate on the most sweeping immigration overhaul in decades after a bipartisan group of lawmakers announced they have agreed on a deal. Their draft would provide a way for millions of undocumented immigrants to come forward and live and work legally in the United Sates.

"Politics is the art of the possible, and the agreement we just reached is the best possible chance we will have in years to secure our borders, bring millions of people out of the shadows and into the sunshine of America,'' Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said Thursay. Kennedy, flanked by two other Democrats, seven Republicans and two Bush cabinet secretaries, outlined a plan that has created a most unlikely political coalition.

The bill would allow the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants who have been in the United States since Jan. 1 of this year to pay $5,000 in fines, pass criminal background checks, learn English and document their work history to stay and work legally. But these workers would only get put on a path to get their green cards once some enforcement triggers are met

[kellynla]

Main Points

SECURITY

This section lists steps that must be taken before any illegal immigrant here now can apply for a green card. Some of these so-called “triggers” include:

Hiring 18,000 border patrol agents

Building 200 miles of vehicle barriers and 370 miles of new border fencing.

Adding 70 ground-based radar and camera towers and deploying four Unnamed Aerial Vehicles along the southern border.

Establishment of a secure system to verify that employers are only hiring people authorized to work in the United States.

WORKPLACE ENFORCEMENT

Only a limited number of documents with such identifiers as photos would be acceptable as proof of legal status.

A new electronic system would match documents – and eventually a new secure biometric card – with homeland security data bases. Employers would also have computer access to a system that verifies Social Security cards. All new hires would have to be verified within 18 months of the law's enactment, and within three years all employees' status would have to be confirmed.

Within six months of the bill's signing, federal officials must begin issuing fraud-resistant, tamper-proof Social Security cards.

GUEST WORKER

A “Y” visa would be created under which guest workers could come for two years, go home for a year, return to work for two more years, go back home for another year and come back one final time for two years of temporary work. There would be 400,000 of these Y visas issued every year but that number could go to 600,000.

If a Y visa holder wants to bring his or her immediate family, they could only come for one work period of two years.

Their work in the U.S. plus any other skills they acquire such as English proficiency or school degrees would count toward a new point system under which these temporary workers could go home and apply for permanent legal status (a green card).

Agricultural workers would be eligible for a Y-2a visa, under which they could work in the U.S.for 10 months, go home for two months and return. That cycle could be repeated. Agricultural workers would have other special provisions when it comes to wages, working conditions and legal protections. There are no caps on the number of agricultural workers.

H-1B visas would be increased from 65,000 to 115,000, of 180,000 if demand is high. H-1B visa holders would no longer be able to b e sponsored automatically for a green card by their employer. They would have to apply under a new point system.

FUTURE IMMIGRATION

Eliminates family preferences for adult children and other relatives; dispensing with so-called chain migration. Sets a cap of 40,000 for parents of U.S. citizens and 87,000 for spouses and children of green card holders.

Under a 100 point system, 50 percent would be based on employment; 25 percent based on education; 15 percent for English proficiency and 10 percent for family ties. There would be 380,000 green cards a year and the number of points needed would vary based on how high applicants score.

LEGALIZATION

All undocumented immigrants already in the United States could come forward, pay an initial $1,000 fine and demonstrate they had a clean criminal record, speak English and remain employed. They would then immediately get probationary status. Jan. 1, 2007 is the cutoff date for eligibility.

Once the enforcement triggers have been reached, probationary card holders would be eligible for a new “Z” visa. These visas are renewable every four years.

Z visa holders could apply for a green card. They would have to pay $4,000 more in fines and get to the back of the line. It would likely take between 8 and 13 years to get a green card because of the current backlog, which would be cleared as part of the provisions of the bill. The Z visa holder would have to go back to their home country, probably for a short time, to apply for the green card. They would have to apply under the new point system.

[kellynla]

Here are the directories to GOP, Senate & House members:
House Link:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml
Senate Link:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Republican Party:
http://www.gop.com/ContactUs/

[kellynla]

ping

[Bulldawg Fan]

Can you say “Amnesty and Citizenship?” Can you say, “millions more?”

This is complete crap and if you believe in the tooth fairy, you will believe the Federal Govt can handle this. Cal your Senators TODAY and register your strongest complaints and opposition. Dont let Bush, Kennedy and the others sell out this country.

[Guenevere]

Yeah, these 'steps' sound nice on paper...

..Hope you don't mind if I'm extremely skeptical.

They won't even enforce the laws already on the books...

..what makes you think they'll start now.

This is wrong!..unfair!...and a huge issue that will divide our country.

Hope they're happy....because millions of us here legally sure aren't!

[Spirochete]

None of these proposed laws will be enforced if enacted. In 15 years we’ll be doing this all over again.

[Sam Ketcham]

1. Is illegal entry now a FELONY?
2. Is chain migration now outlawed?
3. Are children of illegal parents NON citizens?
4. Am I going to pay for their medical, welfare, food stamps etc?
5. Will ALL criminal illegals be deported?

[Reaganwuzthebest]

"Politics is the art of the possible, and the agreement we just reached is the best possible chance we will have in years to secure our borders, bring millions of people out of the shadows and into the sunshine of America,'' Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said Thursay.

Sure Teddy, and we should believe you because?

"This amnesty will give citizenship to only 1.1-1.3 million
illegal aliens. We will secure the borders henceforth.
We will never again bring forward another Amnesty Bill like
this."

-Ted Kennedy, 1986

[Diogenesis]

Kennedy: "We sell out America ... but we will be re-elected AND make millions. Cool."
Congressional Chorus with White House Support: "Death to America".

---

From the 2006 (lst Qtr) INS/FBI Statistical Report on Undocumented Immigration:

12 Americans are murdered every day by illegal aliens. (that’s more than 21,900 murders by illegal aliens since September 11, 2001)

13 people per day are killed by illegal immigrants who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. An additional 4,745 premature deaths per year.

62% of all “undocumented immigrants” in the United States are working for cash and not paying taxes, predominantly illegal aliens, working without a green card.

95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.

83% of warrants for murder in Phoenix are for illegal aliens.

86% of warrants for murder in Albuquerque are for illegal aliens.

75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Albuquerque are illegal aliens.

More than 380,000 “anchor babies” born in the United States in 2005 were to parents who are illegal aliens; making those 380,000 babies automatically U.S. citizens. 97.2% of all costs incurred from those births were paid by the American taxpayer.

More than 66% of all births in California are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers.

24.9% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.

40.1% of all inmates in Arizona detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.

48.2% of all inmates in New Mexico detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.

29% (630,000) of the inmates in all state and federal prisons are illegal aliens—at a cost of $1.6 billion annually.

More than 53% of all investigated burglaries reported in California, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas are perpetrated by illegal aliens.

More than half of all gang members in Los Angeles are illegal aliens from south of the border.

More than 43% of all Food Stamps issued are to illegal aliens.

More than 41% of all unemployment checks issued in the United States are to illegal aliens.

58% of all welfare payments in the United States are issued to illegal aliens.

Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties in the United States are illegal aliens.

14 out of 31 TV stations in L.A. are Spanish-only.

16 out of 28 TV stations in Phoenix are Spanish only.

15 out of 24 TV stations in Albuquerque are Spanish-only.

More than 34% of Arizona students in grades 1-12 are illegal aliens.

More than 24% of Arizona students in grades 1-12 are non-English speaking.

More than 39% of California students in grades 1-12 are illegal aliens.

More than 42% of California students in grades 1-12 are non-English speaking.

In Los Angeles County, 5.1 million people speak English and 3.9 million speak Spanish.

More than 71% of all apprehended cars stolen in 2005 in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California were stolen by illegal aliens or transport “coyotes.”

47% of cited/stopped drivers in California have no license, no insurance, and no registration for the vehicle. Of that 47%, 92% are illegal aliens.

63% of cited/stopped drivers in Arizona have no license, no insurance, and no registration for the vehicle. Of that 63%, 97% are illegal aliens.

66% of cited/stopped drivers in New Mexico have no license, no insurance, and no registration for the vehicle. Of that 66%, 98% are illegal aliens.

Less than 2% of illegal aliens in the United States are picking crops, but 41% are on welfare.

Over 70% of the United States annual population growth (and over 90% of California, Florida, and New York) results from illegal immigration, at a cost of nearly $68,000,000,000.00 annually.

[spectre]

We can't enforce the laws NOW, at least that's what we have been told.

Chernoff was just on Fox and said if the Illegals don't apply for the Z Visa and play by the rules, we are going to "hunt them down and deport them"..

How friggin stupid does he think we are???

And to think, I used to respect our leaders.

sw

[goldstategop]

Uncle Ted is counting on the fact the American people have short memories. Once is never once and he can pull the same trick again on them because they're ignorant of history.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[alexander_busek]

>>Adding 70 ground-based radar and camera towers and deploying four Unnamed Aerial Vehicles along the southern border.<<

“Unnamed,” huh... Or perhaps “Unmanned”?

[goldstategop]

I'd like to Michael Chertoff why he thinks those who break the law will suddenly become law-abiding folks? To think this man was placed in charge of homeland security is a national disgrace.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[OpusatFR]

“...A new electronic system would match documents – and eventually a new secure biometric card...”

Hmmmm...where did this come from? We are getting biometric cards for ID? This obviously wouldn’t be just for immigrants.

[redlocks322]

I just watched Michael Chertoff say on Fox News (to a question of those illegals interviewed yesterday that say they will NOT pay the $5000 but will remain illegal) - Chertoff said (words not exact) If they do not come into the system, they will be hunted down and deported.

Hmmmm, tell me again why we can’t do that NOW without giving them amnesty?

I came to the decision last night that the only reason this is going through is because they are holding up the social security system. I can’t fathom any other reason - I hope I’m wrong.

[sergeantdave]

The criminal fascist syndicate occupying Washington won’t enforce laws now. Why would anyone think the federal criminals would enforce new laws?

[alexander_busek]

>>All undocumented immigrants already in the United States could come forward, pay an initial $1,000 fine and demonstrate they had a clean criminal record, speak English and REMAIN EMPLOYED. [emphasis mine]<<

What if they aren’t already employed, e.g. because they are the illegal alien children of illegal alien parents? How could they then possible REMAIN employed? Obviously, they aren’t talking about ALL undocumented immigrants already in the U.S.

[Cyropaedia]

The look on Chertoff’s face says it all, doesn’t it...?

He realizes this whole thing is a sham.....and he doesn’t care.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

They all know there’s plenty of people out there who can be easily fooled and led around by the nose. Just look at Massachusetts, they keep re-electing this buffoon.

[panthermom]

You cannot imagine the rage I feel everytime I see that picture.

Yesterday morning I e-mailed both of my Senators, Chambliss and Isakson and made my displeasure for this compromise known.
I then waited until 8:00 am and phoned both. Chambliss’ office told me “SEN. CHAMBLISS WOULD NEVER VOTE FOR ANY BILL THAT INCLUDED ANY KIND OF AMNESTY”, I then phoned Isakson’s office. Chris told me “SEN. ISAKSON WILL NOT BE INVOLVED IN THIS LEGISLATION, HE WILL BE SITTING THIS ONE OUT.”

LOOK AT THOSE LYING WEASELS SMILING AWAY WITH KENNEDY!!!! I thought I was going to have a stroke yesterday afternoon. Believe me they got a phone call and another e-mail. I told my husband that I may get a visit from the secret service. I am so pissed. Chambliss has a poll on his website asking what Georgian’s feel is the most important to them. 58% said illegal immigration, nothing else on the poll had a response of more than 7%. Hello!!! Is this man so stupid to think that this bill is what we are talking about when we say we want something done with illegal immigration?

[Guenevere]

I'm with you....

..every word...I'm with you!

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

As far as public policy is concerned, there are positive and negative features with this deal.
Positive:
1) Border security enhanced.
2) ID program.
3) $5000 fine for illegals to pass “GO” (better than nothing)
4) Higher priority for higher quality immigrants.
5) English training and no short cut to citizenship.

Negative:
1) Y (guest worker) visa program likely to create a different class of illegals. Will have illegals with Z card and illegals that were Y and blended into the general population.
2) Number of Y visas ridiculously high.
3) Not pure amnesty but allows citizenship for illegals at too low a price.
4) Last but not least, places millions of high school dropouts, potential Democratic voters on path to Social Security benefits and voting (increasing RAT voter percentage).

In fairness to illegals, I can’t blame them for wanting to come to the greatest country in the world, from corrupt countries like Mexico, and I realize that dealing with 11-12 million illegals is hard, but I resent the drain on taxpayer resources. Studies have shown that the average HS dropout cost taxpayers a net 20K per year for what it costs to subsidize them.

[Farmer Dean]

Brace yourself for the second civil war in this country.It’s coming and it’s not going to be pretty.

[elc]

Before I send this around to some friends - did you compile that list or is it sourced from somewhere?

[elc]

Nevermind - I didn’t realize it was part of the article.

[TheBattman]

I have a stupid question - how exactly do you do a “criminal background check” on someone who has no documentation, no identification, and is here illegally to begin with? Wait - isn’t being here without said documentation already a crime? Ooopps - I guess that is the background check, send them home...

[/sarcasm]

[Guenevere]

I'm scared for our country....

..You know this will divide us like nothing else...

I hate to doubt my leaders...like you spectre...

..but even though the pro-lifers (& I count myself among them) have been throw some bones, and even though many of us here ...Diogenesis, I'm thinking of you especially....are very supportive of the WOT...

..If our President sells out our country over this illegal amnesty tripe, the rest will be for naught, I fear.

Have we been duped?

Someone please tell me I'm wrong.

[CDHart]

Shouldn't that be "Unmanned" rather than "Unnamed"?

Carolyn

[PBRSTREETGANG]

In fairness to Americans with half a brain, why would anyone believe that items 1-5 will be enforced to any meaningful degree when the immigration laws now are not enforced and when the provisions of the last amnesty were not enforced.

[TheBattman]

What about the massive number already in prisons across the country? Will they also get the opportunity for amnesty? I know about the background check malarkey...

[Diogenesis]

That's easy. It goes like this:

DNC/ICE Operative: "Will you kill for us? Vote for us? Obey and serve us, without reservation, without pause?"

Illegal Alien: "Yes."

DNC/ICE Operative: "You have passed the background check and are now a citizen."

[Bigg Red]

They won’t even enforce the laws already on the books...

..what makes you think they’ll start now.

***
Exactly! I love this part the most:

The bill would allow the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants who have been in the United States since Jan. 1 of this year to pay $5,000 in fines, pass criminal background checks, learn English and document their work history to stay and work legally.

##
Okay, we’re told, “Well, we just can’t round up 12M people!” So what happens when, say, only 2M comply with these stated requirements? Who is going to “round up” the remaining 10M? I am so disgusted I could scream! How stupid do they think we are?

[Nomorjer Kinov]

Is there anything in this bill requiring the back payment of all the unpaid income taxes owed over the years by these illegals? What if I neglected to pay my income taxes over the past dozen years? Could I get off scott free with only a $5,000 fine?

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

Good point. Of course the other side of the coin is that this deal would appear to encourage a legal process. I like the border security provisions, and the prospect of deporting illegals with criminal records. Like you, I fear that enforcement may falter. Will we still have cities in the US acting as sanctuary cities?

[Guenevere]

My question...

Why are we suppose to pay taxes, follow rules, obey laws, fight for our country...?

They don't....

..They get away with it...

..There are no consequences...

..And now they can come out into the sunshine.

I have finally entered the Twilight Zone.

[New Girl]

Well, once all of these illegals become citizens, you can bet that they will be voting themselves entitlements. They will vote the middle class out of existence through income redistribution.

[mewzilla]

D, do you have a link for that? I want to be able to pass it around.

And that info would make a good political ad against anyone who votes for this deal....

[Eagles6]

save

[kellynla]

the details were published by the o.c. register which you can find at the link.

[New Girl]

Excellent post! You are absolutely right. They claim that they don’t have the resources to round up 12 million illegals and deport them but they DO have the resources to ensure each illegal pays a $5,000 fine, passes a criminal background check, documents their work history AND learns English? Who are they kidding? They’ll have to create a brand new govt agency just to take this on. This will be another complete disaster of the Bush administration and at the end of it, the immigration population will have doubled and the middle class taxpayer will be completely screwed.

[kabar]

These steps don't even sound good. The bill would legalize the status of the 12 to 20 million illegals immediately, which would enable them to qualify to use all of our social welfare systems. It would make the recent legislation passed in Oklahoma moot. And these illegals made legal would be able to sponsor their families to come in, which would drive the numbers up even further.

And once the bill is passed or probably even now, the stampede will be on to get into this country before the border, if ever, is secured. We would need a huge increase in the present brureaucracy just to process these numbers and enforce the laws. This is AMNESTY.

[fatnotlazy]

Thank you for all of the information on this sham.

I don’t get it — what part of the word “illegal” don’t our so-called leaders understand?

I’m just livid and yes, I’m writing my doofuses in Washington to let them know about it.

[kabar]

Just change the word “illegal” to legal and the problem is solved-—not.

[Bigg Red]

“Unnamed,” huh... Or perhaps “Unmanned”?

&&&
Yep, this is what we get for “journalists” this days. Then again, perhaps it’s unnamed because it’s an “undocumented worker”.

[twonie]

Has anyone here EVER seen a mexican comply fully with any set of rules? No. First said mexican will plead stupidity, then incompetence, then he will summon his ACLU representative, then his “local affiliation”. Ridiculous.

[Bigg Red]

What if I neglected to pay my income taxes over the past dozen years? Could I get off scott free with only a $5,000 fine?

**
Yeah, what if 12M of us decided not to pay our taxes? Would we then be too many to “round up”?

[Dick Bachert]

I TRIED to tell folks around here that Isakson was a weasel BEFORE Newt anointed him.

Now there it is for all to see.

Time for a massive house cleaning.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Just change the word “illegal” to legal and the problem is solved-—not.

This bill would practically do away with illegal immigration. As soon as someone stepped foot on the US they could claim a Z visa using phony documents and never be deported. There won't be enforcement against any new laws. If this isn't stopped we're looking at 100 million new people at least in 5 to 10 years.

[dano1]

Main Points

Millions of people who broke the law rewarded.

They invite their cousins.

[New Girl]

If this isn't stopped we're looking at 100 million new people at least in 5 to 10 years.

Every government agency, every hospital, every school will be completely strained by this. And most of these people are "pickers" and "diggers" without skills who do not know, nor want to learn, English. How many of these people can we possibly absorb?

There are Americans who have paid taxes their entire lives or served in the military who are not getting the services that they deserve while social services are shifted to accomodate illegals.