[angkor]

He skips the first part that gives the illegals status the moment the bill is signed, which means they can’t be deported, which is de facto amnesty.

Good point TomGuy. I've been trying to articulate that for weeks.

The moment it's signed, the concept of "illegal alien" no longer applies. They cannot be apprehended, and any formerly illegal alien appearing in immigration court cannot be prosecuted (the crime ceases to exist), and the judge must be offer Z visa status.

Rescinding a crime (illegal entry) for a class of offenders (illegal aliens) is the exact and precise LEGAL definition of "amnesty".

[jackv]

Do you consider paying a fine for any other misdemeanor offense a consequence?
$9000 and 10 years later is not fine enough or payment enough?

[kabar]

Exactly, the onus is then placed on the USG to prove why the illegal cannot stay in the US. It is amnesty no matter how you try to parse the definition.