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Immigration bill won't come easy in new Congress
sacbee ^ | 12-25-04

Posted on 12/25/2004 1:07:19 PM PST by LouAvul

WASHINGTON - Everyone considers immigration reform a top priority when Congress reconvenes next month. But no one agrees what "reform" means.

"I fully understand the politics of immigration reform," President Bush assured reporters this week. Many lawmakers, including the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, call tougher enforcement the centerpiece of reform. Many others interpret reform as a code word for a guest-worker program that puts illegal immigrants on track toward a green card.

This apparent contradiction could doom legislation. Or perhaps Capitol Hill's long immigration stalemate could be broken by some deft combination of getting tough and giving hope.

"A lot of people have said that could be a good compromise," Mariposa Republican Rep. George Radanovich said. "It depends on who you want to please to get a bill passed."

................

Dubbed AgJobs, the bill would give several hundred thousand illegal immigrants working in agriculture the chance to attain legal residency and, in time, U.S. citizenship.

.............

Following the lead of the House Judiciary Committee chairman, Wisconsin Republican James Sensenbrenner, Radanovich was one of 67 House Republicans to vote against a big intelligence overhaul bill because it failed to take a tough enough line against illegal immigration.

"Immigration reform and border security are paramount to ensure American safety," Radanovich said. "Why were those massive issues not factored into this (intelligence) legislation?"

...........

In particular, conservatives denounced the immigration bill because it dropped a provision banning states from issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and another provision limiting appeals for immigrants facing deportation. Sensenbrenner now promises to revive the proposals first thing next year.

"Denying illegal aliens driver's licenses is the right thing to do," Sensenbrenner said on CNN.

(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: agjobs; aliens; bush43; chriscannon; howardberman; immigrantlist; immigrationplan; larrycraig; tedkennedy
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Several points.

1) Bush is not responsible for the immigration mess. He did not cause it. He simply inherited it.

2) It is not racist to point out the obvious, viz., America can no longer economically, socially, or culturally assimilate massive numbers of third-worlders.

It is time to exercise common sense principles in immigration.

1 posted on 12/25/2004 1:07:20 PM PST by LouAvul
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To: LouAvul
It is time to exercise common sense principles in immigration.

1. Shut the BORDERS now.

2. Fine every BUSINESS $500,000 for every ILLEGAL ALIEN they employ.

3. Deputize our COPS to enforce IMMIGRATION LAWS.

4. Start deporting ILLEGAL ALIENS.

5. No more LEGAL IMMIGRATION from TERRORIST SUPPORTING countries.

6. End DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY.

2 posted on 12/25/2004 1:13:39 PM PST by nanak (Tom Tancredo 2008:Last Hope to Save America)
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To: LouAvul
1) Bush is not responsible for the immigration mess. He did not cause it. He simply inherited it.

Partly right, partly wrong. He didn't cause it, but he has no real intention of doing anything about it either. In fact, his amnesty proposals have likely made matters worse by encouraging further illegal immigration.

3 posted on 12/25/2004 1:19:13 PM PST by inquest (Now is the time to remove the leftist influence from the GOP. "Unity" can wait.)
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To: LouAvul; All

Migrant reform bill in works
Bush talk bolsters bipartisan effort by McCain, Kennedy

Billy House
Republic Washington Bureau
Dec. 25, 2004 12:00 AM
WASHINGTON - Arizona Sen. John McCain and Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy are working together to draft a bipartisan bill for comprehensive immigration reform to introduce in the new session of Congress.
The efforts, bolstered by President Bush's reiteration on Monday that he wants to give temporary legal status to any "willing worker" who has found a job Americans do not want, come as many Republicans in Congress are pointing to the threat of terrorism as a reason to further restrict immigration.
snip----
Still, even though Republicans control the presidency, as well as both chambers of Congress, any immigration bill would need significant support from Democrats to pass. That is one reason McCain, a Republican, is working with Kennedy, a Democrat, on a measure that could be supported by both parties, as well as Bush.
McCain says he's committed to getting comprehensive immigration reform passed.
"Since the election, Senator McCain has spoken with the president and many members of Congress, including Senator Kennedy, trying to forge a consensus on immigration reform in an effort to move forward on this issue during the new Congress," spokeswoman Crystal Benton said.
Kennedy, a longtime proponent of immigration reform said, "Congress needs to fix our broken immigration system as soon as possible, not only for economic and humanitarian reasons, but for urgent national security reasons as well. I'm hopeful we can reach bipartisan agreement early in the new Congress on reforms that are obviously needed."
Almost one year ago, Bush floated his idea of a guest worker program, just as he was entering his campaign for re-election. At the time, he offered no details, and did not talk much about it during the presidential race.
On Monday, Bush again raised the immigration issue, but wants Congress to write the legislation. He likely will mention the topic in his inauguration address on Jan. 20.
Generally, Bush says he wants to balance the concerns of those who say illegal immigration is costing taxpayers money, and may even be a national security threat, with U.S. business needs for a reliable source of low-cost labor. However, Bush also says he would not support a full amnesty of automatic citizenship for the estimated 8 million to 12 million undocumented immigrants currently working in this country illegally.
snip-----
"We are going to continue to push for a path for permanent residency," said Michele Waslin, director of immigration policy at the National Council of La Raza.
Both McCain and Kennedy have sponsored guest worker bills in the past, and need to come up with a bill that will pass muster on both sides of the political aisle.
In the just-completed Congress, McCain joined fellow Arizona Republican Reps. Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake in sponsoring legislation that would grant a path to citizenship to qualified undocumented workers.
Kennedy also favors granting legal status - and eventually, citizenship - to undocumented workers who already have been in the country for several years, have jobs and pay taxes. His past bills also called for expediting citizenship for the spouses and children of undocumented immigrants.
"Both Senator McCain and Senator Kennedy think the system is broken and we need to fix it," said a congressional staffer familiar with discussions between the two senators. "I think at this point we're trying to see if we can bridge the gaps between our two offices and other (congressional offices) on this.
snip----
"The president doesn't have to run (for office) again. House members are always running for re-election," he said.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1225mccain-immigration25.html


4 posted on 12/25/2004 1:28:56 PM PST by JustAnotherSavage ("As frightening as terrorism is, it's the weapon of losers." P.J. O'Rourke)
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To: nanak
It is time to exercise common sense principles in immigration.

1. Shut the BORDERS now.

2. Fine every BUSINESS $500,000 for every ILLEGAL ALIEN they employ.

3. Deputize our COPS to enforce IMMIGRATION LAWS.

4. Start deporting ILLEGAL ALIENS.

5. No more LEGAL IMMIGRATION from TERRORIST SUPPORTING countries.

6. End DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY.

I totally agree with these steps, but it's doubtful that our sorry politicians will follow ANY sane plan for handing illegals. We've got to keep the heat on those in DC who are selling America/Americans down the river, so we can actively campaign against them. They saw what happened to little Tommy Dasschole. Perhaps that might make a few more of them pay attention.

5 posted on 12/25/2004 1:37:04 PM PST by NRA2BFree
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To: JustAnotherSavage
I believe this is the same "I love cameras in my face" John McCain who vehemently oppozed Arizona's Prop 200.

I also believe GWB aggravated a situation because of his behind-the-scenes promises to V. Fox.

When GWB stands in a press conference urging us to have "compassion for those good-hearted" lawbreakers, does he also wish us to have compassion for all the lawbreakers currently serving time? Why not just give the Martha Stewarts of the world freedom from serving time even though they broke laws? Many jailed people are not evil; perhaps they're just greedy, addicted, troubled, and a hundred other adjectives. Were I a reporter, I'd ask him why the illegal alien kind of lawbreaker bears more leniency than other kinds.

GWB's "compassion" is illogical and far from compassionate. Why doesn't he understand we're a nation of laws, not a haven for lawbreakers?

I have bemoaned on FR in the past about the 12 illegal invaders living next door to me until finally I could not subject our family to their disrespect any longer (the INS didn't care). These invaders--no matter what their origin--cannot move ahead of lawful folk applying respectfully to gain citizenship.

Enough ranting for the day, but I have joined and urge others to join FAIR and USA Number(?). We'll need to stand firm on this one!

Regards . . . Penny

6 posted on 12/25/2004 1:42:01 PM PST by Penny ((Proud member of the Free Republic Negligee Brigade for Truth and Justice!))
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To: LouAvul; nanak; JustAnotherSavage
Merry Christmas, all.

Bush inherited it but he's been the most active cheerleader for illegal aliens ever to hold the highest office. Some aspects of his plan look good on paper but are unworkable (how do we make them leave after three years when they already know how to purchase a new identity?). Additionally, any letup on aliens is always inerpreted by millions more as an invitation to invade. This AgJobs bill allows aliens' immediate familes in as well. How extensive are 'immediate' families to most Mexicans? I read that to mean more unskilled and ill-educated depleters of our social services. Too high a price for deferring long put-off mechanization in agriculture.

Nanak mentioned deputizing LEOs to enforce immigration laws. The CLEAR Act, shuffled around in Congress for the past eighteen months or so, would do just that. More pressure from we constituents would free it from committees and bring it to vote.

McCain, Kennedy and the President are not seeking reform - they're attempting to deform immigration policy while rewarding criminal behavior for the sake of their moneyed contributors.

NumbersUSA!

7 posted on 12/25/2004 1:42:04 PM PST by NewRomeTacitus (What is it about "illegal" that they don't understand?)
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To: nanak

No 7 - Put US Marines on ALL entrances of the US Capitol and not allow any Congresscritters or US "Senators" to leave until the get their jobs accomplished.


8 posted on 12/25/2004 2:09:31 PM PST by zzen01
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To: NewRomeTacitus; Penny

Also be sure to check out: www.theterryAndersonshow.com

and

www.wakeupAmericafoundation.com

Lots of good links and info.


9 posted on 12/25/2004 2:33:41 PM PST by JustAnotherSavage ("As frightening as terrorism is, it's the weapon of losers." P.J. O'Rourke)
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To: LouAvul
I would like someone in congress to explain to me why the ACLU is not opposing any immigration policy that does not evenly distribute immigration to the US worldwide with the lone exception of those fleeing communism or the threat of death from a dictator.
10 posted on 12/25/2004 2:46:32 PM PST by rodguy911 (rodguy911:First let's get rid of the UN and then the ACLU, or vice versa..)
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To: nanak

I was thinking a what if situation the other day. What If a Smallpox Outbreak happened in Mexico? With our current borders we would have Smallpox showing up all around the United States and potentially 1 in 4 Americans could die of the disease.

For the national health there should be zero tolerance of Illegal Immigration.


11 posted on 12/25/2004 2:49:48 PM PST by Swiss
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To: JustAnotherSavage
McCain's motivation to get a bill passed wants to be president.

Kennedy's motivation: he want to be relevant in one of his few sober moments,

What Jeff Flake is doing I don't have a clue, I thought he was o.k. but now, I don't know.

The truth is we already have many immigration laws on the books. The fact that we don't secure our borders is no reason to change existing laws.

Just because it might not "feel good" to secure the borders is not reason enough to pass "special legislation" for "special people", everyone should be treated the same.

That has always been the nature of our country.
12 posted on 12/25/2004 2:53:44 PM PST by rodguy911 (rodguy911:First let's get rid of the UN and then the ACLU, or vice versa..)
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To: jveritas

13 posted on 12/25/2004 2:58:04 PM PST by COEXERJ145
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To: nanak

So simple is it not. And yet it never gets done.


14 posted on 12/25/2004 3:10:11 PM PST by expatguy (http://laotze.blogspot.com/)
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To: rodguy911

" everyone should be treated the same.

That has always been the nature of our country."

One would like to believe that. Unfortunately we have several "minorities" who do not follow the same laws we do. I'd like to see that change.


15 posted on 12/25/2004 3:15:58 PM PST by JustAnotherSavage ("As frightening as terrorism is, it's the weapon of losers." P.J. O'Rourke)
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To: Swiss

You may have missed some articles on "disease". Here's one:

*

A Ticking Time Bomb: Diseases that Cross American Borders
RUTHERFORD INSTITUTE.COM ^ | DECEMBER 13, 2004 | JOHN W. WHITEHEAD

Posted on 12/15/2004 12:42:44 PM PST by CHARLITE

As an American, I have always been inspired by the fact that my country welcomes those who seek refuge. And as long as our government officials maintain our borders and ensure that those coming from other countries are screened in order to protect those who legally live here, the concept of welcoming immigrants is a noble one.

However, something has gone awry. Indeed, illegal immigration into the U.S. has become an immense problem and a clear and present danger. Documented illegal immigration has more than doubled in the last decade. It has grown, by conservative counts, from 3.5 million in 1990 to 8 million in 2000. The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that at least 13 million individuals will immigrate to the U.S. in this decade.

If the illegal immigrants in America were simply the huddled masses that the Statue of Liberty welcomes, then there would be little concern over illegal immigration. But it is much more complicated than that. The fact is that the United States is being assaulted by a global criminal network. While some of those crossing over American borders may genuinely be seeking better lives for themselves and their families, there are also, unfortunately, those crossing over whose motives are more sinister, who charge thousands of dollars for transporting illegal immigrants, who traffic young girls into America to be used in sexual prostitution and who prey on children for sex.

More alarming is the Center for Immigration Studies’ conclusion that lax immigration enforcement was partially responsible for the terrorist attacks within the U.S., and that such slack immigration policies may lead to more terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear. Indeed, Time magazine recently reported that there may be plans to “smuggle nuclear weapons to Mexico, then operatives would carry material into the U.S.” This may be inevitable, in that thousands upon thousands of illegal aliens will continue to settle in the U.S., many from countries that seem to export terrorists.

Efforts to protect American borders, especially at the Mexican line, have increasingly become lax over the last several presidential administrations. The Bush Administration, for example, has been lax on its stewardship of the southern border because of its close relationship with Mexican President Vicente Fox. There is the sad, continuing story, writes George Putnam (Newsmax.com), “particularly in those states that border Mexico, where there is a steady, silent, pervasive invasion of the United States by an unarmed army carrying an assembly line of diseases into the heart of America.” Further details can be found in a report entitled “Immigration’s Silent Invasion, Deadly Consequences” where the authors state: “The invasion of illegal aliens pouring over the borders of the United States is taking an ominous turn. They are not alone! Their bodies may carry Hepatitis A, B & C, tuberculosis, leprosy and Chagas Disease. Chagas is a nasty parasitic bug common in Latin America where 18 million people are infected and 50,000 deaths occur annually.”

Illegal aliens, by avoiding health screenings at U.S. borders, carry TB, the most serious being MDR, a multi-drug resistant tuberculosis with a higher death rate than cancer. According to the New York Academy of Sciences, Update, January 2002, “TB bacteria readily fly through the air, as when an afflicted person coughs. It’s estimated that each victim will infect 10, 20 or more people—in whom the disease will likely remain latent, creating the potential ‘time bomb’ effect.”

---snip----
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1302149/posts


16 posted on 12/25/2004 3:19:15 PM PST by JustAnotherSavage ("As frightening as terrorism is, it's the weapon of losers." P.J. O'Rourke)
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To: expatguy
So simple is it not. And yet it never gets done.

On top of which, none of the supporters of those in charge seem to be able to explain why. But they sure know how to act like juvenile idiots when challenged on it. They have that part down solid.

17 posted on 12/25/2004 3:20:44 PM PST by inquest (Now is the time to remove the leftist influence from the GOP. "Unity" can wait.)
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To: COEXERJ145

Is that Chianti, COEXER? Are you having Fava beans with that?

Merry Christmas to all!


18 posted on 12/25/2004 3:21:37 PM PST by JustAnotherSavage ("As frightening as terrorism is, it's the weapon of losers." P.J. O'Rourke)
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To: COEXERJ145

Even on Christmas day they cannot stop their obsession with the immigration issue and their savage attacks against President Bush.


19 posted on 12/25/2004 3:35:20 PM PST by jveritas
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To: jveritas; COEXERJ145

You guys aren't spending Christmas together?


20 posted on 12/25/2004 4:23:44 PM PST by 4.1O dana super trac pak (Stop the open borders death cult)
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