Posted on 05/18/2007 6:19:47 AM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Oh btw, this bill would have given the terorist hijackers of 911 and the Fort Dix Six the right to stay here.
“The word ‘bipartisan’ means that some larger-than-usual deception is being carried out.” - George Carlin
“...when will you stop trusting Bush?”
I don’t trust him anymore-he’s beyond the point of return for me, he’s mimicking “BJ” Clinton’s legacy seeking.
True, but there's no need to dwell on it now. Let's just set him quietly aside and start the serious process of choosing more wisely for '08.
We won't get fooled again.
The bigger picture is that elections have consequences and this is what we get for not supporting the candidates. Either way you slice it the repub house majority would not of let this pass, I hope for some its a lesson learned
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DOES DOES NOT NEED TO CONCERN ITSELF WITH MY VOTE EVER AGAIN IF THIS BILL PASSES AND GWKENNDY SIGNS IT.
I don't whine about dupe threads. But there are also some good comments on the other one.
I think its best and hope that every conservative American in this country with hold all future donations to support the GOP starting today and vote for all 3rd party conservative candidates in all future elections. Also, I think all conservatives should as in protest withhold buying imports and extras, going out to eat, the movies,etc. to slow this runaway f’n government. Bury your money and bury the slimes running our government. It is more than time for a serious change. The gov runs off of money, then, buy no more than the necessities between now and Nov 8. Think the ‘fkr’s will hear us then?
An absolute outrage. The sheer arrogance of this cabal (the Senate and the House, along with most of the Executive and Judicial branches) is beyond description. It is well past time for the populace to reclaim its birthright...minimal government, unfettered economic opportunity, and a just and moral society in which to live.
Of course, they won't. But, this elementary logical conclusion seems to escape our servants in DC.
Rule #1: Follow the $$$$
Rule#2: Refer to rule #1.
I am seriously beginning to question our President’s mental stability.
Why on EARTH would any sane President sign off on a deal that for all intents and purposes, legitimizes anywhere from 12 to 25 million illegals who, within their ranks, contain criminals, terrorists, any and every sort of misfit, the mentally ill, those carrying all kinds of infections, diseases, you name it? The national security implications alone make this action positively horrifying!
I’m here to tell you folks, when it comes to our illustrious President’s administration, with the possible exception of Vice President Cheney, the inmates have taken over the asylum.
America is in deep trouble.
bump for new tagline
But they know how to drive a submarine, wait, that was a car.
No, this is what we get for having a "Republican" president who supports a Democrat immigration policy.
either way the repub house would not of let this pass
Can't wait to see them after this week's fiasco. Anyone with strong approval ratings should seek psychiatric help.
o I reside in a rural section of Virginia where staunch Republican farmers and small construction firms hire Mexican labor.
o They don't care about their status, illegal or not.
o They don't care if their SS nos. are valid or not.
o They swear that their workers are the best they've ever had.
o Their workers band together, usually 10 or so lease one low-rent house (many sleep on the floor or in bathtubs).
o They go to Food Lion once a month (Food Lion proudly sports a Hispanic foods section)
o They buy phone cards and send money back to Mexico.
o If they don't go back to Mexico, their families come on the money sent and stay here!
IMHO, the solution is to either crack down on the employers (those same small businesses that is the BASE of the GOP and the supply that creates the demand), boycott any firm where Mexican labor is involved, or create a situation where Mexico is economically more attractive for workers to stay than to leave. Other than that, this bill is the best we're going to get.
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