Agreement reached on immigration reform

[almaty 19]

WASHINGTON - Key senators in both parties and the White House announced 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.

Bush hailed completion of the deal as a "historic moment," and said he looked forward to signing it into law, according to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who said he called the president to inform him of it.

"Politics is the art of the possible, and the agreement that we just reached is 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," Kennedy said.

Anticipating criticism from conservatives, Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record), 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 on one of Bush's top non-war priorities. The president has said he wants to sign an immigration bill by summer's end.

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 (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif.

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.

i think this is relevant too!

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.

i think this is relevant too!

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.

[doodlebug 3]

dude you're freakin' me out. we posted the same thing at the same time!

[almaty 19]

f##k...

[JODO 2]

The points based system is definitely a good idea. I am not sure about some of the other points though. Anyway, I just called my senator and the aide answering the phone said her calls were running 20 to 1 against! and this story was just posted.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Business interests over family. Flood the marketplace with cheaper labor while keeping families separated. Why am I not at all surprised? The next amnesty (does anyone really believe that those guest workers will ever head home?) will legalize 50MM in about 15-20 years. New and stricter labor law enforcement is suspicously absent in the proposal. Hence, the hiring of illegals will continue.

I'll inform my Congressional reps how I feel about this nightmare:

A government of the few, for the few and by the few.

[Traviesa 0]

What about Family Unity? That's the only part I even cared about!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

What about Family Unity? That's the only part I even cared about!

Going forward, family unity will matter only where a longing relative can be connected with a paying business interest. There you go with them "family values". Could it be any more hollow a phrase?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It sounds promising. The restrictions on family sponsored immigration are understandable, although I'm wondering how those who drafted this anticipate the lower skilled job market? Perhaps once those who are here have legitimacy, they can start organizing labor without fear of retribution.

[Traviesa 0]

What about Family Unity? That's the only part I even cared about!

Going forward, family unity will matter only where a longing relative can be connected with a paying business interest. There you go with them "family values". Could it be any more hollow a phrase?

So this thing's going to pass without the Family Unity section? In which case I most definitely DO NOT support it. I was really hoping for that too, would have made our lives a little easier.

[Portlander 0]

They thought of that on, S+J.... The visas on the "Guest Worker Program" are almost totally in control of their employer. If someone stepos out of line, their "legitimacy" is revoked easily and quickly. So no complaining about working conditions here! Just wouldn't do. THats the whole problem with American workers anyway - they want all these "Workplace saftey laws" so they don't die of cancer from the pesticides and stuff.

It wasn't that long ago that groups like Pinkerton (and now Blackwater) were often used to violently put down strikes. As they say, if you ignore history you are doomed to repeat it. BushCo are quietly contracting out all the work that the National Guard is unable to do because they are in Iraq to groups like Blackwater. Also, while there are around 120,000 US troops in Iraq, there are another 150,000 private contract mercenary groups paid by the US, like Blackwater, although Blackwater is only one of many groups. The real number of out troops on the ground in Iraq is around a quarter million.

[Leney 0]

Yeah so I'm cynical....

How is this really going to fix anything? If people are here illegally - why do you think they are here illegally? Lack of knowledge on immigration? Lack of funds to file for immigration legally? Woke up on the wrong side of the border?

Regardless, where are they going to come up with the money to legally adjust their status if there is a $5000 fine? So...a few that have money will come forward, the rest will continue to be here illegally...

Not that I want to see the illegal immigrants get handed residency on a silver platter, in fact I loathe all illegal immigrants, considering the bullshit my husband and I have just been through to get him here the legal and right way.

But sorry...I don't see this changing, fixing, or making any sort of real difference. Too bad public officials aren't rewarded a certificate for FREE COMMON SENSE with each election win...

Edited May 17, 2007 by Leney

[Nanusia & Lukaszek 0]

This new proposed plan is total #######!!! Why do illegals get preferntial treatment over US citizens (with foreign born parents that may want to immigrate).

This is like a kick in the a$$ for those that follow the law and go through this long a$$ immigration process. We miss our families, we are seperated for long periods, just to make everything legit & by the rules. They break all the rules, pay a $5000 fine and they are home free?

Screw families being together, screw US citizen first treatment, screw following the set rules? What a smart plan they thought of. This is just one step above the previous idea of building a 2 foot chicken fence.

*Sorry for my complaining & ranting, i'm just a bit ticked off

[one...two...tree 2,762]

They thought of that on, S+J.... The visas on the "Guest Worker Program" are almost totally in control of their employer. If someone stepos out of line, their "legitimacy" is revoked easily and quickly. So no complaining about working conditions here! Just wouldn't do. THats the whole problem with American workers anyway - they want all these "Workplace saftey laws" so they don't die of cancer from the pesticides and stuff.

Well I guess that makes sense since this administration is totally in the pockets of big business lobbyists. I'd be curious to know where the restaurant lobby is on this.

[Portlander 0]

But sorry...I don't see this changing, fixing, or making any sort of real difference. Too bad public officials aren't rewarded a certificate for FREE COMMON SENSE with each election win...

Voltaire said "Common sense isn't so common" ...

But the fact of the matter is, the legislation is carefully and thoughtfully cafted to meet the goals it wants to meet.

Well I guess that makes sense since this administration is totally in the pockets of big business lobbyists

Policy after policy have been designed 100% to meet the interests of lobbyists, and for no other reason. The ENergy policy? WRITTEN by the lobbysist behind closed doors. The Prescription Drug plan? Locks the gov't into full retail price for each and every pill. The Gov't could sabve a bundle on Medicaid if it simply SHOPPED AT WALGREENS. but they can't, now. The "War or Terror"? How about the war for high oil prices. Thats what the oil lobby wants, thats what they get.

Oil companies are setting records for the most profit EVER ... adjusted for inflation. High oil prices? Complete and total BS. .... COMMON SENSE tells otherwise, right? Its a total line of #######. No ifs, ands or buts on that one. Oil companies are more successful now than anyone has ever been at anything.

So when we get a immigration bill that tightens restrictions on families but allows cheap labor to come in that is completely under the control of a single employer.... well, it shouldn't really surprise anyone. I doubt it is the restaurant lobby - the agriculture lobby is much more powerful, but there are lots of business sectors that would love cheap labor they can legally bully around.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

But sorry...I don't see this changing, fixing, or making any sort of real difference.

Oh it fixes and changes a lot. Just not for you and me or any other average American. (read: not in your favor or mine).

Edited May 17, 2007 by ET-US2004