Agreement reached on illegal-alien amnesty

[Little-Acorn]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070517...s&printer=1;_ylt=AvnRRSqGzEiEBrTS0r7i.g.MwfIE

Key senators and the White House reached agreement Thursday on an immigration overhaul that would grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. and fortify the border. The plan would create a temporary worker program to bring new arrivals to the U.S. A separate program would cover agricultural workers. New high-tech enforcement measures also would be instituted to verify that workers are here legally.

The compromise came after weeks of painstaking closed-door negotiations that brought the most liberal Democrats and the most conservative Republicans together with President Bush's Cabinet officers to produce a highly complex measure that carries heavy political consequences. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said he expects Bush to endorse the agreement.

The accord sets the stage for what promises to be a bruising battle next week in the Senate on one of Bush's top non-war priorities. The key breakthrough came when negotiators struck a bargain on a so-called "point system" that would for the first time prioritize immigrants' education and skill level over family connections in deciding how to award green cards.

The draft bill "gives a path out of the shadows and toward legal status for those who are currently here" illegally, said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

A spokesman for Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., one of his party's key players in the talks, confirmed that the group had reached agreement.

The proposed agreement would allow illegal immigrants to come forward and obtain a "Z visa" and — after paying fees and a $5,000 fine — ultimately get on track for permanent residency, which could take between eight and 13 years. Heads of household would have to return to their home countries first.

They could come forward right away to claim a probationary card that would let them live and work legally in the U.S., but could not begin the path to permanent residency or citizenship until border security improvements and the high-tech worker identification program were completed. A new temporary guest worker program would also have to wait until those so-called "triggers" had been activated.

Those workers would have to return home after work stints of two years, with little opportunity to gain permanent legal status or ever become U.S. citizens. They could renew their guest worker visas twice, but would be required to leave for a year in between each time.

OR... they could stay quiet as they have been for decades, NOT pay the fine, NOT go home, and stay here permanently just as they have been.

What a laugh. Which path do YOU think they'll choose?

The only difference this "plan" will make, is that people who want to come in illegally but haven't done so yet, will realize the balance in the govt is swinging toward complete amnesty. It's just not all the way there yet. But they will redouble their efforts to get in illegally so they can cash in when the time does come, and last year's flood across our border will become this year's deluge.

These liberals (in both parties) are so cute, with their little notions that 20 million people who have benefitted immensely by coming in illegally, working illegally, and staying illegaly, will turn around and start obeying the law.

That's charming in its naivete'. Unfortunately, it's not coming from Miss VanDeventer's third-grade class at the local elementary school, but from THE LEADERS OF OUR NATION'S GOVERNMENT.

We, the American voters, put those people into majorities last November. Now we are getting exactly the government we deserve.

 

[UnAmericanYOU]

No, we're getting the government Mexico deserves.

S. 1348, what can you say about it?:

http://thomas.loc.gov/

That it's not amnesty? That's what he:

Anticipating criticism from conservatives, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said, "It is not amnesty. This will restore the rule of law."

Heh, this "deal" cut funding for the fence in half and gutted ALL employer prohibitions. Still, Harry Reid whines:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., called the proposal a "starting point" for that debate and said the measure needs improvement.

"I have serious concerns about some aspects of this proposal, including the structure of the temporary worker program and undue limitations on family immigration," Reid said in a statement.

Notice what's he so concerned about:
link

This would devastate the American economy by the EITC alone, the outlays would go through the roof.

http://www.numbersusa.com/index

Bush + Kennedy = disaster.