A Secret Deal On Immigration?

Exclusive: Private Talks Between Congress And White House Auger A Bill That Some Will Call Amnesty

(CBS)  With protesters taking to the streets, and Americans looking to Washington for a solution, never before has immigration reform been tackled this way: Politicians at opposite ends of the debate collaborating in secret to devise a new comprehensive plan.

According to CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson, the group, which includes Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, has met for hours several times a week since March — with Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff acting as point man for the White House.

How unusual is it for Democrats, Republicans and White House Cabinet officials to be writing a bill together at the start? Sen. Graham said, "I've never done this before. I've been in the Congress now for over 12 years."

CBS News has been told the plan that could be announced next week attempts to please hardliners by spending billions to secure the border first. But all 12 million-plus illegal immigrants could stay. They'd have to register and pay fines for having entered illegally.

To become citizens, they'd go to the end of the line behind those who've already applied.

Under a new merit plan, points would be given for work skills and language: The more points, the faster they can become citizens.

And everyone — even U.S. citizens — would have to prove who they are when applying for a job.

The bottom line: An illegal immigrant here today could remain in the U.S., but would have to wait at least 13 years to become a citizen.

Negotiators agree some critics who call for mass jailings or deportations of illegals will call this compromise amnesty and oppose it, but with the House indicating it will follow the Senate's lead, it's still the last best hope for immigration reform any time soon.

"If we fail, if we cannot get this bill done, then this is it for years to come," Graham said.

That's because once this window of opportunity closes, all sides have said it'll be too close to presidential elections to tackle a subject that's such a lightning rod.

[randalds]

Stop this garbage of "Oh I don't care that they're brown, it's just that they're here illegally!" when the truth is that it's nearly impossible for them to immigrate here legally. Give them at least a decent chance of coming here legally or stop the racist lie that it's their illegal status that you dis-like. Have a good Guest Worker program for those that want to come here to work, but then return South (which is quite a few who only stay because they're afraid they may not be able to get back in time for the next growing season). Then a REALISTIC path to citizenship for those already here, that includes learning conversational English, passing a criminal background check and then waiting the usual 5 years to take the oath. The idea that we're somehow going to send 12 million of them back is sick joke, is unrealistic and is not going to happen, so drop that ignorant idea now and deal with the fact that they're here to stay.

[randalds]

Stop this garbage of "Oh I don't care that they're brown, it's just that they're here illegally!" when the truth is that it's nearly impossible for them to immigrate here legally. Give them at least a decent chance of coming here legally or stop the racist lie that it's their illegal status that you dis-like. Have a good Guest Worker program for those that want to come here to work, but then return South (which is quite a few who only stay because they're afraid they may not be able to get back in time for the next growing season). Then a REALISTIC path to citizenship for those already here, that includes learning conversational English, passing a criminal background check and then waiting the usual 5 years to take the oath. The idea that we're somehow going to send 12 million of them back is sick joke, is unrealistic and is not going to happen, so drop that ignorant idea now and deal with the fact that they're here to stay.

[randalds]

Change the immigration law so they are the same across the board since it's breathtakingly easy for some to immigrate here, but it's almost impossible for a Mexican to to the same. The laws are not fair to those from South of the border, but are fantastic (by comparison) for Europeans. That way we'll do away with this BS of a lie that "Oh the only problem I have is that they're (Horrors!) here illegally!!". Then provide a real path to citizenship for those here that makes them learn conversational English, pass a criminal background check (that does NOT include that they have violated the ridiculous draconian immigration laws to get here) and have them swear an oath of allegiance to America after the standard five years. Finally a real comprehensive Guest Worker program so migrants who just want to come here to work and then go home can do so easily and without being exploited.

[randalds]

Change the immigration law so they are the same across the board since it's breathtakingly easy for some to immigrate here, but it's almost impossible for a Mexican to to the same. The laws are not fair to those from South of the border, but are fantastic (by comparison) for Europeans. That way we'll do away with this BS of a lie that "Oh the only problem I have is that they're (Horrors!) here illegally!!". Then provide a real path to citizenship for those here that makes them learn conversational English, pass a criminal background check (that does NOT include that they have violated the ridiculous draconian immigration laws to get here) and have them swear an oath of allegiance to America after the standard five years. Finally a real comprehensive Guest Worker program so migrants who just want to come here to work and then go home can do so easily and without being exploited.

[randalds]

Sorry about the multi-posts. The publish button is all scre*wed up today for some reason.

[randalds]

Sorry about the multi-posts. The publish button is all scre*wed up today for some reason.

[stokeybob]

The thing that scares me about any sort of immigration law reform is that every few years they re-invent the same laws. Each time they work in amnesty and gravy parts for the illegal aliens. They are always quick to hand out the amnesty and gravy parts but they never do get around to the enforcement parts of the laws.

Do they really need a shiny new set of laws when they have never given the old comprehensive laws a test drive?


http://www.vdare.com/rubenstein/051101_nd.htm

Notices of intent to fine employers:


1997: 865
1999: 417
2000: 178
2001: 100
2003: 162
2004: 3


Worksite arrests of illegal alien workers:


1997: 17,554
1999: 2,849
2000: 953
2001: 735
2003: 445
2004: 159

[lorinkundert]

Well it was fun while it lasted, this Republic has just died if that deal is true, So that means we have no legitimate government any longer, and that means no more of my money will be going to a fraudulent tax system any longer. look up the "We the People Congress" in google

[chicared]

Now is not just wonderful to give illegals amnesty so we teach them to break the a law is ok nothing will happen to you so we are a joke again the great United States of America why don,t we just let them all come and forget about Aids,TB,small pox,and all the other sickness without testing,backround,criminal it,s a joke and I wonder why I waist my time typeing this homeland security ha,ha, another joke did anyone see on the internet that Germany has discovered a plot to attack americans by terrorist and we just let them come so sad send them back and make them go through legal channels like everyone else and if not then let all come the same way Illegally

[fascistusa]

The American Fascist Elite want the cheap, easily gullable workers.

End of story.

There's ALREADY a path towards Citizenship. All you have to do is ENFORCE IT.

FREE AMERICA FROM THIS FASCIST ELITE REGIME!!!!

[iceman_1960]

"A Secret Deal On Immigration?"

It's so secret it's the lead story at CBS.

[lorinkundert]

If we are ever going to make Congress accountable it is time to start recall/impeachment procedures against every so called Senator and Congressman who in any way supports this.

[sparks224]

The Republicans have a real problem here.
The people that supply the money to the party want the cheap labor to stay.
The people that supply the votes want the illegals out.

Whatever they decide to do you know it will be a completely dishonest sham.

It's kind of fun to watch em squirm though.

[olebd]

Letting illegals stay is a mistake. My won't they really feel empowered to protest and change our great nation to their liking if this happen. Forget about our school systems, social security, medicaide, ANY program through this government. The stars and stripes are going, going, gone if this happens. Little Mexicos will pop up from East to West. Take your Spanish lessons now. Throw the laws out the window. BIG mistake.

[trillion1]

This country has gone to hell in a hand basket.The honest, hard working, tax paying American doesn't matter anymore. I don't think it matters who we vote for. Money is the only thing that controls goverment.

[sasi1-2009]

this makes me so d a m n e d mad that I am having trouble even writing my comment!!! I certainly will not vote for anyone who votes for this. Looks like they want to reward all the crumbs for their crimes! I think they all need to be held accountable for breaking our laws, but apparently I'm not in the majority!

[jolely]

RDS, it seem you only care about race. It doesn't matter as long as they are brown. So all Mexicans are brown? Mexican is a race? Is American a race? No they aren't, this just shows that you are a racist. Only a Mexican American would call Mexican a race. They know better in Mexico...

[olebd]

Republican or democrat, it doesn't make a difference. We are led by a bunch of muddle-headed mice with no backbones.

[toldyouso21]

Everyone who breaks a law has an excuse or justification for it--and everyone who breaks the law feels their cause is sooo righteous that it deserves to be above the law and have the law rewritten. Subversion. dishonesty in written documents usually wrought or altered. Bush did it to go around FISA, to practice torture and rendition, to have concentration camps for terrorists. Democrats also do this--they point to the plight of illegals, how good, kind and honest most of them are, how hard working and how horrible conditions in their own countries are...they fail to note that the people who are waiting in line and who did not break any laws can't get in due to the illegals. They fail to notice how kind, good they are--maybe hardworking and maybe also facing horrible conditions--people whose wait is longer due to the line jumpers in the system. They try to pretend that illegal immigration goes hand in hand with crimes of identity, fraud, SS fraud, tax evasion, etc. Down in the trenches, bexpected to once again just suck up what others decide for us-- are the American people.

[barbaraf4]

How dare our elected officials pull this backdoor scam. They are aware of the voting public's stand on this issue. Why do the demands of 12 million illegals carry more weight?

[toldyouso21]

Offer some real solutions: strenghten the border, make them pay the fines that are part of the deal, and make it more of a merit system so that those that are truly
Posted by Inmyopinion at 07:02 PM : May 11, 2007

we ask it about the Iraq war, so I will ask it here....what are the benchmarks that will be put in place to ensure we do not encourage other illegals to go the same route and wait for their specialized amnesty track while enjoying living here illegally?

Hint: do not talk of fines to companies--they have been in place and occassionally enforced since 1986. Do not talk about retrictions and requirements before citizenship--that also occurred in 1986. Do not talk of back payment of taxes--because since no one knows how long many have been here and how much they made--you will never ensure they pay their equitable amount.

So everything proposed now was in place in 1986 and we ended up with another 12 million--so what is to stop the next wave and the next wave, and the one after that, and the one after that? And as each wave comes and becomes citizens the demographic and the voting changes to reflect this--until we will not have illegal immigrants because the new majority will say it is a free for all. But I digress, what are the consequences for illegally immigrating that will prevent/discourage the continual exodus out of neighboring countries?

[iceman_1960]

"President Bush said, "You can't take millions of people with deep roots in the country and send them across the border."

Why not ? Mexico did it." -- Jay Leno

[debluezzman]

I wonder whatever happened to "we the people", now it seems like we have politicans who judge whats best for this country

[ilovejesus58]

Welcome Home!!! Who said white crackers and light skinned Italian Yankees should be the only people who are allowed to live in America?!

[toldyouso21]

Just wrote all of my Congressmen and this is the letter I sent. Feel free to use it.

Hello:

Normally, I write to you about the war funding or the various probes. this is about illegal immigration. Amnesty did not work in 1986, as it signaled a certain path for illegals to take and basically guaranteed what Congress and Bush are trying to offer: That if a person comes here illegally and holds out long enough, they will be rewarded. I am against preferential treatments for any group (with bilingualism and amnesty) and no matter how long the track, it is still amnesty and a reward for disregarding our laws. I will vote against anyone who supports this bill and I will ensure that all I can influence (which is significant) will vote against those persons also. Instead of catering to business and a potential voting bloc, I suggest those in Congress consider those who vote now--this is making people angry enough to put the Iraq war issue aside and vote OUT everyone in Congress who supports this. If you believe it was a rout in 2006--you ain't seen nothing yet. Enough is enough.

[ilovejesus58]

Attention all General Contractors and Housing Developers, you better start building homes that poor people can afford--since you haven't been doing that for the past 40 years!

[teka10-2009]

The American Legion, 2.7 million vets strong just held it's national convention in Cinncinati, Ohio. The Press Release they have issued against the Federal Govt. about letting millions of illegal aliens into this nation is blistering. Forthright language. Strong Harry Truman stuff. God Bless them. Now where is the VFW?

[toldyouso21]

The irony, if the Democrats and any heedless cons are thrown from office for having voted for amnesty. Imagine Americans deciding that making a stance against our rogue government out trumps the war for now and getting rid of the Democratic majority. Won't Nancy and Ted Kennedy be surprised to learn that a great many Democrats and Independents do NOT support amnesty and that this wedge issue back burners Iraq and short circuits the Democratic ascendancy. If you think it was pie in the sky--then you failed to notice the chess moves of 2006 and specifically which groups moved where and why. Congress better not fvck with us.

[fascistusa]

The American Fascist Elite want the cheap, easily gullable workers.

End of story.

There's ALREADY a path towards Citizenship. All you have to do is ENFORCE IT.

FREE AMERICA FROM THIS FASCIST ELITE REGIME!!!!

[nwihoosier]

ilovejesus58, YOU are a racist! That attitude is why so many people still play martyr.

[bbirdsr71]

Good By America! sorry the, INVATORS are going to win!

[noamnesty]

No Amnesty! No Rewards for Illegals who enter the country illegally. Our Congressional Leaders should seriously consider their position on Amnesty and Illegal Immigration if they WANT to seek additional terms in office. The LEGAL, VOTING, citizens of our country need and should be heard. A vote for amnesty is a vote to OUST ANY AND ALL Congressional leaders who are selling out our country to illegal immigrants. Fort Dix is a prime example of how our unsecured borders have allowed illegals to inflect possible harm to our soldiers, though the attempt was thwarted. Our economy is taxed enough and I am tired of paying taxes so illegals can be educated, receive free medical, welfare, it's pathetic. I am a single mother, who receives no aid. What happened to "WE THE PEOPLE"? It's not "I"- Ted Kennedy, Barak Obama. You are not speaking for ME! Let the VOTING CITIZENS VOTE as to whether illegals receive amnesty, guest worker visas, etc. SAY NO TO AMNESTY!

[ensynoptic]

Treason. `Nuff said.

[lestb35]

Amnesty for illegals.Here we go again. Problem not solved but broadened by enticing even more illegal entry. What do the illegals bring to the table besides cheap labor. Backroom deals to give our country away. So this is what the Democrats have been up to. NO AMNESTY.

[lestb35]

Our politicians are giving our country away. Our ancestors have fought and died for this country only to have these two bit, sleaze bag, greedy bazterds give it away. These people do not deserve amnesty. They have done nothing to fastrack them to citizenship. NOTHING. NO ANMESTY

[nwihoosier]

ilovejesus58, YOU are a racist! That attitude is why so many people still play martyr.

[lestb35]

Does this just prove once and for all without a shadow of a doubt that the Democrats and Republicans are the same no good, greedy slobs. We need a third party a party of the PEOPLE, American people that is.

[stezzer]

I'm British, I'd love to live in America. Does this mean I can now break the law to live in the USA?

These people have no respect for your laws, they should not be rewarded with citizenship.

If you want to live in America, you should learn to respect the American people and abide their constitution.

[lestb35]

". They'd have to register and pay fines for having entered illegally."

Yeah, what was it, like $250 fine. That's how cheap it is to become an American these days. Sneak over the border illegally and pay a $250 fine. OK, fine if they're going to stay they'd better dammm well be prepared to SERVE this country. The freeloaders.

[nwihoosier]

ilovejesus58, YOU are a racist! That attitude is why so many people still play martyr.

[calico369]

Ted Kennedy has made deals and lied about illegals and immigration since the mid 60's. He is a lying fat slot willing to sell out America. It's obscene!

[stezzer]

I'm British, I'd love to live in America. Does this mean I can now break the law to live in the USA?

These people have no respect for your laws, they should not be rewarded with citizenship.

If you want to live in America, you should learn to respect the American people and abide their constitution.

[nwihoosier]

ilovejesus58, YOU are a racist! That attitude is why so many people still play martyr.
I'll bet YOU live in America! You Dummy

[toldyouso21]

Well, well, well...Bush certainly found a way to nullify the support for Democrats in time for the next election. Democrats do not realize this--but a vote for amnesty will cost them a lot of swing voters and Independent voters as well as some core democrats. Bush outsmarts Democrats after all, and they think if Bush and the Repubs back it--then they are safe--nope. We vote all who approve it--OUT and we vote replacements for them, for Dems--vote in the Republican challenger, for traitorous cons--vote in the Democrats--it is not about balance, this is about punishment. We better matter, as the citizens who have the votes now--Congress better act like we matter.

[lestb35]

"If we fail, if we cannot get this bill done, then this is it for years to come," Graham said.


No it's not. ENFORCE THE LAWS WE HAVE. Cut all social services including education (oh no, no more free community college training for illegals). Build the fence and start DEPORTING NOW.

[susanhelit]

13 years for amnesty - maybe, maybe I could accept that - but they need to leave during that time, wait in their home countries - and make sure that they qualify as much or more than the people who are applying to become citizens legally.


I don't like this - but it sounds like there may be a few good compromises here - in particular making businesses only hire people here legally. That's the hard one to get Republicans to go for - they're too soft on the businesses that want cheap labor, Democrats are too soft on the poor lil immigrants.

[calico369]

Ted Kennedy has made deals and lied about illegals and immigration since the mid 60's. He is a lying fat slob willing to sell out America. It's obscene!

[lestb35]

ILLEGALS GO HOME. You're not wanted here with your arrogant demands for citizenship and social services. Go Home where you belong.

[susanhelit]

There's not too many to send home - they got here, they can leave. There may be too many to keep though - no matter what the propaganda, America is not all powerful - there are limits to how many new people we can absorb at a time, how many jobs there are, how much housing, etc.

[toldyouso21]

don't like this - but it sounds like there may be a few good compromises here - Posted by SusanHelit at 08:28 PM : May 11, 2007

Susan, this was all tried before. After the 1980s amnesty, everyone was required to show at least 2 sanctioned pieces of ID to get a job. See that little thing about getting bonus points to get a faster track to citizenship? Well, that little blurb means those people can be citizens in as little as 2 years and that they will leapfrog over the ones in line--because face it--if illegals get brownie points for knowing English and having job skills (and having an American job) and this is said to speed up the process--then how can they remain behind the legal applicants in the line? Is everyone in front of them going to get speeded up so that they will stay in their place behind them--or does Congress and Bush think we are really, really stupid and they actually gave us something.