Senators, White House announce immigration deal that could legalize millions
By: JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS - Associated Press | ∞
WASHINGTON -- The White House and key senators in both parties announced agreement Thursday on an immigration overhaul that would grant quick legal status to millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. It would also fortify the border.
President Bush said the proposal would "help enforce our borders but equally importantly, it'll treat people with respect."
"This is a bill where people who live here in our country will be treated without amnesty but without animosity," Bush said.
The compromise came after weeks of closed-door negotiations that brought the most liberal Democrats and the most conservative Republicans on immigration issues together with Bush's Cabinet officers to produce a highly complex measure that carries heavy political consequences. It still faces a long legislative struggle and its passage by the Senate or House is far from assured.
The plan would create a temporary worker program to bring new arrivals to the U.S and a separate program to cover agricultural workers. Skills and education level would for the first time be weighted more heavily than family connections in deciding whether immigrants should get permanent legal status. New high-tech employment verification measures would make sure that workers are here legally.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, his party's lead negotiator on the deal, hailed it as "the best possible chance we will have in years to secure our borders and bring millions of people out of the shadows and into the sunshine of America."
Anticipating criticism from conservatives, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said, "It is not amnesty. This will restore the rule of law."
The accord sets the stage for what promises to be a bruising battle next week in the Senate.
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.
The breakthrough came when negotiators struck a bargain on a so-called "point system" that prioritizes immigrants' education and skill level over family connections in deciding how to award green cards.
The immigration issue also divides both parties in the House, which isn't expected to act unless the Senate passes a bill first.
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.
Democrats had pressed instead for guest workers to be permitted to stay and work indefinitely in the U.S.
In perhaps the most hotly debated change, the proposed plan would shift from an immigration system primarily weighted toward family ties toward one with preferences for people with advanced degrees and sophisticated skills. Republicans have long sought such revisions, which they say are needed to end "chain migration" that harms the economy, while some Democrats and liberal groups say it's an unfair system that rips families apart.
Family connections alone would no longer be enough to qualify for a green card -- except for spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens.
New limits would apply to U.S. citizens seeking to bring foreign-born parents into the country.
More Stories
- Analysis: Election-year posturing threatens future of immigration compromise
- Some Iowa activists worry that days of the living room campaign are over
- Senators, White House announce immigration deal that could legalize millions
- Bush, Blair, friends to the end, salute each other at White House farewell
- Brown pledges to rebuild trust as British prime minister, signals no change on Iraq
Advertisement
Jimbo wrote on May 18, 2007 12:28 AM:No such thing as a bigger cop out than making a futile attempt at wiping the slate clean and starting fresh. It would be funny if it weren't our country being destroyed as a result. Enforcement is the only solution, not rewarding criminals...and yes, it is realistic. Start enforcing, and you'd see the result. Saying it's not possible is just another cop out. And yes, I'm willing to accept whatever "consequences" of a mass decline in population. I'm not fearful of losing free loaders and criminals, I don't care what jobs they do. Give me a break, "this will restore the rule of law" The rule of law has been there all this time and has been ignored by illegal invaders and our gov officials who want to remain polically correct to stay in office. Note that in third world countries, the politicians need not worry about the day to day concerns of the avg citizen. I see the same thing happening here. When the criminal is pulling the strings and the law makers and president are the puppets, it is a sad day for any country, especially for the greatest country that has ever existed. Sorry to say it, but I think the US will soon enough be a "has been". Crime raising, free loading, illegal trespassers are not good for our society...period. Open borders are not good for our country...period. Enough of this nonsense, please write your congressmen. (simple google search) I already have.
fedup wrote on May 18, 2007 7:18 AM:....and jsut why would our elected representatives vote for the criminal ILLEGALS to become "legal"? these ILLEGALS are criminals that will never become useful members of this country. send them all out of our country with their families!
WOW!! wrote on May 18, 2007 10:04 AM:A win for Mexico and illega aliens. A huge loss for American workers and school children.
I am astounded! wrote on May 18, 2007 3:41 PM:They are going to give amnesty to illegal alien lawbreakers, while at the same time they won't free the wrongly convicted Texas Border Patrol Agents, Ramos and Compean. Convicted and sent to prison for trying to catch an illegal alien drug smuggler. The United States of America has been turned upside down. Bush and the ACLU have helped turn it.
American woman wrote on May 18, 2007 3:59 PM:THIS IS INSANITY! We are better off just as we are now! The borders MUST be secured, and they are NOT! The U.S. Federal government is well-aware of it, but nothing changes. Hmmmmm.....? It's a fair bet that Senators will not have read this resolution [HR-1645] before they are asked to vote on it. Do our Senators really believe we are so stupid that we would buy this scam? My hope is that Americans will get behind this travesty like never before! We must contact our members of Congress, both the Senate and the House, and inform them that their cushy jobs will be at risk if this thing passes. Congressional toll-free phone number: 866-340-9281. Just ask for the Senator or Congressman's office that you want. Then tell them what you think of their traitorous behavior. One of the most ridiculous claims by the Administration and many others in DC, is that addressing the issues at the Employerlevel can't work! Of course it would work! The government simply doesn't want it to. Cite, fine and incarcerate the employers! I commend Jimbo for his advice to call your reps. However, you don't perform this task just once! Many of us out here working hard to prevail in this anti-American attack by unknown foreign invaders e-mail, write, phone and fax our representatives DAILY! Most of you have cell phones with free minutes or roll-over perks! Use them to their best advantage! Drive the politicians' aides crazy! We've been at this for a long time now, but the more the merrier!
End of America- wrote on May 18, 2007 11:11 PM:If this bill passes it will be the end of America as we know it. It will destroy social security and the entire country. The z card gives illegals all the rights of a legal citizen-including social security and medicare and 60 other socal programs and we pay for it with taxes--bankruptsy!
Press 1 for English, Press 2 for Deportation wrote on May 19, 2007 12:22 AM:Take my word for it, George W. Bush will go down in history as the best president ever -- in Mexican history books. His legacy in US history books will be far less positive. Thanks for selling us out, El Busho Estupido.
Veteran wrote on May 19, 2007 12:39 AM:These senators are traitors and should be treated as such. Any true American that votes for any of these traitors in the future deserves the kind of government representation that we are getting. Come on America...
QUINTERO wrote on May 19, 2007 9:53 AM:The blogs on here mostly address questions long since settled. There will be NO mass deportations ~ deporting millions of people is impossible. The Z visa will be IMMEDIATELY available to ALL paperless migrants now in the USA (and to those continuing to enter). The Z visa itself will given permanent residency. The part about the $5000 fine and returning to Mexico etc., is just fluff meant to molify the redneck crowd. It's a done deal folks. No doubt about that. Big business (agri-business, industrials, packers, etc.etc.) need to trim labor costs, so voila, no more danger of employer sanctions. Next step will be to bring in MORE migrants as "guest workers." Big money talks, little bloggers don't.
LUVUS wrote on May 19, 2007 10:39 AM:To Quintero: The resolution will never pass. Sorry to disappoint you. :>)
The Silent Majority wrote on May 19, 2007 11:43 AM:The resolution has a long way to go and will never pass ,you no why!! Because of the american people , That flood there offices with e-mail- phone calls and faxs , The left and right are trying to find there way out from the bill !! If you people truely care about this country Start calling- faxing --e-mailing .You can make a diffence .
QUINT wrote on May 19, 2007 12:22 PM:Poll after poll after poll show that 80%+ of American VOTERS favor legalization of ALL migrants now in the U.S.! The Field Poll, the Gallup Poll, the USA Today poll, etc. etc. We're not talking about a few military retirees here in North San Diego County, we're talking about ALL the American voters. It's true that the same voters polled do favor tighter borders and tougher restrictions on immigration, but don't confuse that with what they want to do about the migrants ALREADY HERE! Do a little googling and see for yourself!! Why else do you think the politicos are firming up an immigration package to satisfy not only the VAST MAJORITY of Americans, but, and most importantly, their big campaign contributors: BIG BUSINESS, BIG MONEY, WALLSTREET ~ all wanting cheaper labor for the grunt jobs with a BIGGER BOTTOM LINE!! Like it or not ~ it's a done deal. Hey, $10 an hour is alot better than $20-$30+ per hour!! And no union worries either.
STRINGER wrote on May 19, 2007 12:25 PM:Oh, it's gonna pass alright! To think otherwise is just wishful thinking!! A little more fine tuning, yes. Then leaders of both Houses will get it though the Congress and Bush is salavating to sign it!! Remember, the 2008 election is just around the corner!
The silent marjorty wrote on May 19, 2007 2:09 PM:I googled , You must be looking at old or diffent polls !!!!or the ones that favor the invation . In north county we voted Billbray to office < and he ran on one issue .
Revolutionero wrote on May 19, 2007 6:08 PM:Hey gringos, we are here stay now thanks to politicians YOU elected! How many of you bloggers voted for Bush. Thanks for the helping hand there. Good job. Now open them border gates and get ready for our extended families. Viva La Raza!
American doormat wrote on May 19, 2007 7:25 PM:I didn't vote for Boosh. The illegals might get amnesty but they will always be second class citizens. We all know what laws are worth...unfortunately.
First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.
Today's Stories
Advertisement