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Subscribe to RSSA bipartisan group of leading senators has reached agreement on the principles of sweeping legislation to rewrite the nation's immigration laws.
The deal, which was to be announced at a news conference Monday afternoon, covers border security, guest workers and employer verification, as well as a path to citizenship for the 11 million illegal immigrants already in this country.
Although thorny details remain to be negotiated and success is far from certain, the development heralds the start of what could be the most significant effort in years toward overhauling the nation's inefficient patchwork of immigration laws.
President Barack Obama also is committed to enacting comprehensive immigration legislation and will travel to Nevada on Tuesday to lay out his vision, which is expected to overlap in important ways with the Senate effort.
The eight senators expected to endorse the new principles Monday are Democrats Charles Schumer of New York, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Michael Bennet of Colorado; and Republicans John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Marco Rubio of Florida and Jeff Flake of Arizona.
Several of these lawmakers have worked for years on the issue. McCain collaborated with the late Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy on comprehensive immigration legislation pushed by then-President George W. Bush in 2007, only to see it collapse in the Senate when it couldn't get enough GOP support.
Now, with some Republicans chastened by the November elections which demonstrated the importance of Latino voters and their increasing commitment to Democrats, some in the GOP say this time will be different.
"What's changed, honestly, is that there is a new, I think, appreciation on both sides of the aisle — including maybe more importantly on the Republican side of the aisle — that we have to enact a comprehensive immigration reform bill," McCain said Sunday on ABC's "This Week."
"I think the time is right," McCain said.
The group claims a notable newcomer in Rubio, a potential 2016 presidential candidate whose conservative bona fides may help smooth the way for support among conservatives wary of anything that smacks of amnesty. In an opinion piece published Sunday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Rubio wrote that the existing system amounts to "de facto amnesty," and he called for "commonsense reform."
According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, the senators will call for accomplishing four goals:
- Creating a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already here, contingent upon securing the border and better tracking of people here on visas.
- Reforming the legal immigration system, including awarding green cards to immigrants who obtain advanced degrees in science, math, technology or engineering from an American university.
- Creating an effective employment verification system to ensure that employers do not hire illegal immigrants.
- Allowing more low-skill workers into the country and allowing employers to hire immigrants if they can demonstrate they couldn't recruit a U.S. citizen; and establishing an agricultural worker program.
The principles being released Monday are outlined on just over four pages, leaving plenty of details left to fill in. What the senators do call for is similar to Obama's goals and some past efforts by Democrats and Republicans, since there's wide agreement in identifying problems with the current immigration system. The most difficult disagreement is likely to arise over how to accomplish the path to citizenship.
In order to satisfy the concerns of Rubio and other Republicans, the senators are calling for the completion of steps on border security and oversight of those here on visas before taking major steps forward on the path to citizenship.
Even then, those here illegally would have to qualify for a "probationary legal status" that would allow them to live and work here — but not qualify for federal benefits — before being able to apply for permanent residency. Once they are allowed to apply they would do so behind everyone else already in line for a green card within the current immigration system.
That could be a highly cumbersome process, but how to make it more workable is being left to future negotiations. The senators envision a more streamlined process toward citizenship for immigrants brought here as children by their parents, and for agricultural workers.
The debate will play out at the start of Obama's second term, as he aims to spend the political capital afforded him by his re-election victory on an issue that has eluded past presidents and stymied him during his first term despite his promises to the Latino community to act.
"As the president has made clear for some time, immigration reform is an important priority and he is pleased that progress is being made with bipartisan support," a White House spokesman, Clark Stevens, said in a statement. "At the same time, he will not be satisfied until there is meaningful reform and he will continue to urge Congress to act until that is achieved."
For Republicans, the November elections were a stark schooling on the importance of Latino voters, who voted for Obama over Republican Mitt Romney 71 percent to 27 percent, helping ensure Obama's victory. That led some Republican leaders to conclude that supporting immigration reform with a path to citizenship has become a political imperative.
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I have an idea...IF you weren't BORN here...GET OUT!!! we already spend an estimated 1/3 of a trillion dollars a YEAR on illegals. Democrats are simply playing POLITICS as usual...
I don't think there's a reply I can make that even touches this "level" of ignorance.
Matt, EVIDENTLY you aren't old enough to remember what America USED to be like. It used to be the United States of America. Now...it's simply become the Divided States of America.
I'm old enough to remember what the U.S. used to be like. The good old days when we had segregation, for example; or before domestic violence laws were enacted and abuse was a "private matter;" or . . . oh, never mind, I could go on and on about the less pleasant side of things. I'm of Irish descent, and there was a time when my ancestors were really looked down on as dirty, fighting drunks, undercutting others because they would work for less (nobody would pay them more). Now we have St. Patrick's Day parades.
I get to eat wonderful fruits and veggies because migrant workers slaved in the sun to pick them. I don't see many true blood Americans rushing out to do the labor intensive work, either - or risking their health due to the pesticides used. Just a thought.
Also, Barracuda, your name reminds me of the Heart song of the same name - good song.
Bad idea and very poor attitude considering the fact that the so called FOUNDERS weren't born here (In America). Native Americans are the only people that holds the right to say that America is theirs.
Unfortunately many ugly Americans (Xenophobic psychopaths) believe that America includes all white Americans legal or illegal.
Yes, it's very unfair for illegally immigrants (anyone not just Hispanics) to get a free ride to citizenship when millions of people must wait and line to be naturalized. The problem is with politicians (Republicans and Democrats) alike using immigration as a political pawn at the cost of showing DOUBLE STANDARDS and misappropriation of tax paying dollars.
Don't stereotype Hispanics as illegals and treat them as second class citizens. Hispanics, Africans and Asians are people trying to make a living just like you.
If you REALLY want to halt illegal immigration in it's tracks, insist your representatives repeal or rescind the 14th Amendment. Yeah, that's right. The Anchor Baby loophole that allows these illegal immigrants to enter the country ILLEGALLY presumably in the second trimester of pregnancy or get pregnant shortly thereafter and have babies that are then automatically granted American citizenship. These offspring, upon reaching voting age will then vote AGAINST any politician, or law, that impedes their stated goal to take over certain US territories (states) they feel Latinos originally owned prior to the Mexican-American War. Google that war. Also Google M.E.C.H.a. Google La Raza. Google "The Mexican Consulate aiding Illegal Immigrants". Google Aztlan (Mexicans for annexation of the U.S. southwest) than ask yourself which of our states has the most Hispanic populations.
Our country is slowly being taken over by the masses of Latinos from South America. Their intention is to eventually install their own representatives, once their demographic goals are met, (see 14th Amendment) and forever change the face of the United States (see Aztlan) and, eventually, the United States constitution and open the southern border for hordes of their brothers (see Aztlan). Is this what they want the United States to become, another China? Another India? With an uncontrollable population of BILLIONS not to mention the Mexican drug cartels?
Whether folks want to believe it or not, this country is being occupied vicariously by a foreign country (Mexico) without a shot being fired. I strongly urge you to educate yourself and extrapolate the horrible reality of the situation we will one day be forced to face. Once they establish their own urban enclaves, they will not seem so innocent any longer. They are using liberals and activist for their own selfish, and nefarious, purposes (see Aztlan). One other thing, urge, no DEMAND, your (supposedly) U. S. representatives do SOMETHING about the 14th Amendment LOOPHOLE that increases their numbers EVEN MORE. I assure you, not only was this amendment NOT intended for this purpose, it is being used as a WEAPON. Soon, the U.S. will be no more, just Mexico North.
I've been sayin' it , I've been sayin' it, I've been sayin' it.....
And they have the nerve to call themselves american senators, not so they are a disgrace to this country. How on earth can illegals be allowed to even have an opinion about how this country should operate. Now you as americans can see how your elected officials as they call themselves, sell you up the river without a paddle. They don't care as long as the money is placed in their back pockets they don't give a damn about you or me until it is time for re-election. They kow tow to illegals, the word illegal represents itself, not within the law, now we must allow their input in order for the congress or senate to make decisions. This is based on why democrats got back into office, and now the republicans have decided they found out the hard way and didn't get elected because they didn't listen to the ILLEGAL latinos, and now they must change their way of thinking, well guess what true blue americans, you don't count as far as these morons go, they just need you to put them back into office, and screw you after that. Paving a way to improve legalization in this country, no, whomever can make that almighty dollar will win you can bet your butt on this. These illegals have your country, men, mostly by the balls, and squeeze whenever they want something to go their way, and your elected officials get payment in return. This is just blatant corruption by another name. Not interested in politics anymore, not voting anymore that is for sure, because my vote really doesn't count and nor does yours, if it did these politicians would be listening to the people, there is a right way by the law, and the politicians way by the bank. Enough said
The only problem is that the more ILLEGALS they empower. The more they intend to bequeath American citizenship to... the more they extend voting privileges to, doesn't necessary translate to these (formerly) ILLEGALS voting for them. Once their demographics reach a proportion equal to establishing their OWN representatives within the United States congressional system, they will NOT vote for the representatives presently in office. They will have the voting power, along with the obligatory ultra-liberals, to vote into office their own senators and representatives. And maybe even, eventually, the President of the United States, who will then push for regulations and laws favorable to Hispanic immigrants to include abolishing the southern border, as well as the border patrol, entirely.
The ultra-liberals, to include activist judges, politicians like Durbin, Nancy Pelosi , Bloomberg, clergy, the ACLU and others, will ensure the complete third-world metamorphosis of the United States. and thus, it's eventual downfall. Count on it.
Wow, why bother with borders or border patrol at this point?
We live in very scary times.
What about the people who became citizens the hard way? What a slap in the face.
Whaddaya mean no government benefits?! All the illegals have to do is pop out jackpot babies and the whole #$%@&% family gets government benefits!!
There is no doubt the immigration system is broken.
One of the clearest examples of how it is broken is a story of one of my former co-workers, a fellow postdoc at a national lab. He was offered a job at an oil company, but had all sorts of issues getting his green card to stay for work. It almost came down to him having to leave the country, and return to India.
He was precisely the kind of "immigrant" that America not only needs, but should always want. He happens to have a PhD in engineering, his specific area of expertise being fluid dynamics. Not a whole lot of people in the world can achieve that sort of level. The amount of grief he had before finally getting the green card made me seriously doubt the people in charge have any concept of what immigration policy *should* look like.
I joked with him, told him to travel to Mexico, cross into the United States illegally, and he'd be able to get his green card within a week. Sadly, it's not so far from the truth.
Sorry the Mexican/hispanic moochers have ruined it for your co-worker and other immigrants.
I'am an american citizen and a felon who has paid for my crime, but still cannot vote. This is pure B.S. that illegals can vote as they were and are criminals that have more rights then an american citizen. Illegals come here to breed on our free welfare and food stamps while selling dope for wagon wheels on their cars.
Same old bull@!$%#, "We're are going to grant Immunity/Citizenship to the ones that are already here, then we will get tough on the border crossings" Yeah right! I've seen this movie before and I already know the ending, and it is always the same. Its the same old story people, until we get some people in office that actually care about our quality of life!
Most people in office only care about keeping their phonybaloney jobs.
This is their reward for breaking our laws. A new path to Welfare, Food Stamps and free Medical care. Best News is that Lower Wages are on the way. A new Progressive Movement against the American Worker
Why don't you tell them how you, corrupt folks, profit from illegal aliens.
Why don't you tell them how you are screwing up the citizens and legal residents.
Tell them how corrupt your government is, Senators.
Living here all my life, unfortunately, I think this is KARMA for the US treating African Americans so bad. I don't see how America can let these people come over here and control everything and nobody says or does anything. Maybe the Hispanics are the ones behind closed doors designing the rules for their people. I totally disagree with President Obama on immigration and illegals, especially Hispanics. They have the nerve to demand what they want, and are getting it, and are some of the most hateful people on earth. They pretend they can't speak English, so what does the government do, they put everything in Spanish as well. When you have Spanish written on toilet tissue, to me that says they are full of s..t in their language. Why do you need to have Spanish on toilet tissue. They can't understand how to wipe their asses. I am so sick and tired of calling businesses on the phone and hearing press 1 for English, press 2 for Spanish and then you have to listen to the message for 10 minutes before you can speak to someone then someone Spanish answers and they are rude and nasty. They are the ones having 10 children, getting welfare and food stamps, Section 8, man working, free schooling, owning restaurants and stores etc.. I will not spend my money making them rich. They are not even investing in this country, they are sending their money back to their countries. Unfortunately, the Hispanic race is going to be the majority in this country and they are going to shut out whites, and they have been doing this to African Americans from the beginning, who they absolutely hate anyway. They are the new KKK in living color. Shame on America.
You are absolutely 101% correct, LookinUpAnyway. They do hate blacks and are killing them left and right. African-American that aligns themselves with Hispanics in the delusional belief that they are also "brothers" is a certifiable fool. See below. http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/january2007/220107mexicangangs.htm
Also Google- Mexican gangs and African-Americans
They can pass any law they want, but it won't make the American Citizen accept the fact that their Parents broke the law by bringing their children here or come here to have a baby.
Don't give these children citizenship because it is not America's fault, it is the fault of the Parents that brought them here or planed to sneak in the US to have a child that they know will be granted citizenship.
Look at it this way. Your father robs a bank, drives over to his child's home and gives him the money. The child gets to keep the money. I don't think the law will let him keep it. So this illegal child gets brought here by a law breaker and the child gets to be made a citizen. Bullchit! another law being broken. I served my country for the Constitution and my fellow Americans. not for any lawbreaker. Phuck them and their Illegal Children.
If you don't like or can't make a living in your Country. Revolt, don't put a hardship on America. What would their Country do if Americans eased on in, be in jail that's what would happen.
The politicians might be profiting from the illegals, but look what it's costing in the long run.
bullshi*******************
well...if they are allowed a fkn free pass for breaking the fknlaw....then so should every american huh??? and i am starting with NOT fk paying my taxes....
if every american refused to pay their taxes..what are they going to do?? put us all in jail?? ....for not supporting these fkn illegals?? yea...our sorry a** gov't probably would..
stupid c suc***s...........
The only reason, and I do mean the only reason the republicans have their hands in this is because of the 11 million illegal immigrants already in this country. Republicans chastened by the November elections which demonstrated the importance of Latino voters and their increasing commitment to Democrats, now realize that if they can change the laws, then maybe they can get more votes come the 2016 election. The republicans are already splitting districts up just so they can get the majority of the electorial votes in several key states. Just another way for the republican's to play dirty ball!
I have got a question for most of you that consider yourselves "Republicans and or Conservatives". Why is that when you refer to a Democrat. You use a insult or vulgar term ? If you want to discuss things, then perhaps you should try to refrain from the name calling. It just might be beneficial to the discussion, just saying.
My humble opinion is that we are a nation of immigrants and descendants of immigrants. We don't need to change that fact about America.
We should continue to be the land of opportunity and have generous immigration policies for those who can contribute to our culture in a positive way. That is the standard that is difficult to define but must be defined by our traditional American values.
We do need to do effective background checks on immigrants and exclude the dangerous, but admit those who pose no danger. Those with criminal backgrounds or outstanding warrants in their home country can be returned to the custody of their home country's authorities.
The Americans here are already suffering from a poor economy and a shortage of jobs. So tell me what will happen when you let 11 million more into this country? Social security is going broke thanks to the Bush administration, health care is already suffering, and we have more people on walefare programs as it is.
So tell me what will happen when you let these 11 million more uneducated and poor immigrants into our country? You going to flip the bill? No, the whole fricken nation of tax paying citizen's will be expected to pay for it....moron!
Amen to that !Rousseau SC. Hey Lowel, was calling Rousseau a "moron" really needed ? You don't agree with him/her, fine. But does that make him/her a moron ? Try being civil, it might help.
ok was not a choice word, but come on what the heck else am I to call them? Uneducated? Uninformed?
This is just the beginning stages of this thing people. They are still working on it. At least they are doing something, which is a change from the past 4 years. I don't want illegals getting amnisty. I don't think this is the goal of these senators either. From what it sounds like to me, all illegals will have to register first. They get no federal benefits, and if states are smart they won't give any state benefits. These newly registered illegals will then be put in line behind all the legal applicants. They will be able to work here only if they keep their records clean. Securing our borders is complicated, and cannot be done as easily as some people posting here think it can be done.
I agree that our borders need to be secured. I also know that there is going to have to be reform in the immigration department for this to be done. Like one poster said, even those with visas or green cards are not tracked effectively. I believe this article also said they would be working on reform to correct that problem.
To my way of thinking, if some illegals do not want to register they need to be deported. Any illegal who commits a crime (other than illegally entering this country) should be deported under this reform. Why should they reap the benefits if they do not want to follow our laws or register to become citizens.
As far as cheap labor. It's only cheap because the businesses do not want to pay good wages. A person who works for minimum wage cannot afford to pay living expenses. For what they pay migrant workers to pick lettuce (or whatever), that is just crap. That is why Americans don't want the jobs. They cannot afford to take care of themselves, let alone a family. Get these businesses to pay a good wage and more Americans would take the jobs. Illegals won't complain about the wages for fear of deportation.
Lets give these senators time and see what they come up with.
this ain't nuthin' but wrong. try to pull this crap in mexico. hiring illegal workers helps to
create an excess pool of labor, supresses wages, allows poor working conditions
and a fear based job enviornment, enriches the illegal worker’s country of
origin, diminishes our economy and our standard of living, makes the rich
richer, the poor poorer, and increases the gap between the 99% and the 1%.
don’t believe they are only doing the jobs we won’t do. we are americans. we
will do any job. get rid of them and there will be enough jobs for legal citizens. the ones who were born here or came here legally. when they do this they will be rewarding law breakers and a class of people who have no respect for this country or our laws. this will be the fianl blow to our once strong and envied working class. now we are the laughing stock and suckers in the world. since our leaders won't enforce our laws or defend our working class, the time has come for us to take matters into our own hands to protect ourselves, our laws, and our constitution. if we wait any longer it will be too late and our former middle class citizens will be walking around carrying all their belongings in backpacks wishing they had homes and jobs and envying the damned mexicans who have taken over everything. act now, people. it's time. let's roll.
"Citizenship for the 11 Million illegal immigrants that are already here." Does this have anything to do with the collapse of our economy? I still say it was Bush.
Hey People.................
Do Your FKN jobs and get them the fk out of our country!
I do not bust my a** working and paying taxes to support these SOB's.
this is just crazy these polititians are only doing this for votes its all crap let me tell you any construction people on her having a hard time finding a job? go look at all the construction sites here in oregon its 95 persent mexican if you dont speak spanish they wont hire you and these are union jobs so where the backup from them they can give a @!$%# either all they want is there dues i say deport them there like cholestoral in are veins
As Far As "Jobs Americans (supposedly) Don't Want To Do" ....................Bullsh**..........
Make these people on welfare do these jobs..Its a BULLSH** excuse to have to bring in "illegals" to do it.
Make these people on welfare do them or cancel their damn foodstamps and Free Healthcare.
It's time to enact our right of disassembling the government because it is broken and replacing it with a fuctional one, no other choice now. The longer we wait the worse it will get.
And how do you suppose we do this with out exciting a riot...which is illegal in this country? A catch 22!
The Americans here are already suffering from a poor economy and a shortage of jobs. So tell me what will happen when you let 11 million more into this country? Social security is going broke thanks to the Bush administration, health care is already suffering, and we have more people on welfare programs as it is.
So tell me what will happen when you let these 11 million more uneducated and poor immigrants into our country? You going to flip the bill? No, the whole fricken nation of tax paying citizen's will be expected to pay for it....morons!
ok maybe not morons....but uneducated, uninformed, ignorant?