Sen. Kennedy defends immigration bill [Another Bush-Teddy deal; when will you stop trusting Bush?]

Houston Chronicle - AP ^ | May 18 2007 | AP

[freedomdefender]

Congress should coalesce behind sweeping new compromise immigration legislation despite steep political obstacles because opportunities to confront the problem head-on are rare, Sen. Edward Kennedy said Friday.

Kennedy, the lead Democratic negotiator with Republicans and the White House, acknowledged widespread criticism but called it "our last-gasp stand."

The bill, which conservatives immediately attacked as an "amnesty" program, would provide a pathway to citizenship for some 12 million immigrants now in the United States illegally. It also would mandate tougher border security and workplace enforcement and provide for a guest worker program.

Critics complained that it would reward the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants with a way of gaining legal status and staying in the U.S. permanently without being punished.

Asked about amnesty on CBS's "The Early Show" Friday morning, Kennedy said, "That's sort of a slogan and a cliche you're going to hear a lot about." He said fixing the nation's "broken borders" is long overdue.

The bill would allow illegal immigrants to come forward right away, but they could not get visas or begin a path to citizenship until the border security improvements and a high-tech worker identification program were put in place.

After that, illegal immigrants could obtain a renewable "Z visa" that would allow them stay in the country indefinitely. After paying fees and fines totaling $5,000, they could ultimately get on track for permanent residency, which could take between eight and 13 years. Heads of households would have to return to their home countries first.

[AirBorn]

(COPY of Pat-Answer I give concerning this whole issue!)

No more $$$$ for ANY of their "Campaigns" "Candidates"!!-WRITE THEM NOW!

SOCIAL SECURITY!!??

Just when they ( Kennedy especially!) were saying how Social Security will be DEAD in 20-30 years-- they ALL; Bush, Libbies. RINO's- want to:

and ADD -MILLIONS -MORE- TO -THE -SOCIAL -SECURITY -ROLES!!!! I-L-L-E-G-A-L-L-Y!!

NO! $$$$$$$$ from me EVER AGAIN! for ANY CANDIDATE!! for ANY "Republican" running for ANY POSITION!!-

I Say WRITE to the WH-the GOP and tell them they are NEVER GETTING ANOTHER DIME FOR ANY CAMPAIGN OR CANDIDATE FROM ME EVER AGAIN!!

They want to "play Games" -and THEN They get to WALK AWAY with a Senators'/House RETIREMENT/Mediacl Package!?!!-as they REST of LOYAL, DEDICATED, "DONATING" Supporters get shit on????

Darth AirBorne

Time to get our Nation back!

[freedomdefender]

This bill gives Kennedy millions of new Democrat voters. What’s in it for Bush? That’s what I don’t get. But since the first Bush-Kenney deal - No Child - and then the Bush-Kennedy Health Care Monster, I’ve known Bush was a phony “conservative.” Freepers love him because he took down a fifth-rate dictator in Iraq. Excuse me, but I’m not impressed. In hindsight, we can now see that Saddam, with his rusty military, was not a threat to the US. Hundreds of millions of new Democrat immigrants ARE a threat.

[atomicpossum]

On immigration? I think we stopped trusting Bush on immigration some time ago.

It’s why his poll numbers are so low— not because of Iraq, as the MSM will tell you, it’s because his base has abandoned him on immigration.

[Diogenesis]

Sen. Kennedy: "We sell out every American ... but I WILL be re-elected AND make billions. Cool."

Chorus with White House Support (sings): "Death to America".

[piceapungens]

Don't delude yourselves Kennedy and Bush are cut from the same cloth - that's the problem!

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

The bill would allow illegal immigrants to come forward right away, but they could not get visas or begin a path to citizenship until the border security improvements and a high-tech worker identification program were put in place.

After that, illegal immigrants could obtain a renewable "Z visa" that would allow them stay in the country indefinitely. After paying fees and fines totaling $5,000, they could ultimately get on track for permanent residency, which could take between eight and 13 years. Heads of households would have to return to their home countries first.

Under these conditions, why would an established illegal immigrant come forward (self-report)?

[CWW]

Bush II is just like his disappointing father. But we all knew that when he signed McCain-Feingold.

Strike #1 -- No brat left behind.

Strike #2 -- McCain-Feingold

Strike #3 -- Amnesty

Bush -- you are out!

[HonestConservative]

The DC wing of AlQueda’s got nothing on these guys.

Our destruction is coming from or own people.

[N. Theknow]

My tagline says it all where the Kennedy cabal is concerned.

[massgopguy]

Those requirements will be abandoned. They are a sick joke on us. And they won’t come forward because they don’t have to. Now they can just keep doing what they’ve been doing but now face NO deportment consequences.

[RSmithOpt]

This is just the tip of the iceberg. This past Tuesday, the NC state senate passed a bill to allow NC electoral votes for POTUS go to the winner of the popular vote. The idea submitted by a lawyer and a professor from the left coast. Also, the Dem controlled legislature is trying to allow in the ‘early squirrelly election’ voters to register the same day and vote with only a utility bill as ID. I am not kiddin’ on either of these issues.

[edcoil]

Kennedy sold this country out in 1964 with his first bill that opened the doors that got us to this problem.

Anything Kennedy is involved with is not in the best interest of this country.

[TomGuy]

The bill, which conservatives immediately attacked as an "amnesty" program

Because it is:

This bill gives illegals de facto amnesty by giving them legalized status while their application for citizenship is 'pending'. Whether they ever apply for or get actual citizenship, they do get legalized status immediately.

[NeoCaveman]

when will you stop trusting Bush?]

I stopped the day he picked Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court.

[tumblindice]

If our government is signaling its intention to declare war on its foundation, the middle class, then Free Republic is Lexington green, the Concord bridge—let it begin here.

[spectre]

What the hell is wrong with Chernoff? He looks like he's physically wasting away..not that I care at this point.

sw

[KC_Conspirator]

Whats in it for him? Well all those on Wall Street, factory owners, and anyone else with old money will get repaid for their campaign contributions. Bush already has lost all support from me, and mind you, I used to be a big Bushbot.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Bush II is just like his disappointing father.

No, I think he's worse. I thought George I was OK (except for "read my lips") until he got sick late in his term and started to give away the farm in a vain attempt to get re-elected. GWB is a lot younger than his dad was. GWB's attitude toward immigration, and dealing with the Dems on it, is stupid and perverse.

[Afronaut]

I have to Tip my hat to Kennedy. A drunkin' Fat slob has driven this Nation into the ground. And the American people could care less.

He is truly Amazing! Kicked the Crap out of all the conservatives, burned the Constitution, wins reelection by landslides. The list is endless.

I have to say that he is the most amazing person that I have ever seen in my 49 years.

How is Anna Nicole doing?