Immigration On A Slow Boil In The Senate

(CBS/AP)  Senate leaders agreed Monday that they would wait until June to take final action on a bipartisan plan to give millions of unlawful immigrants legal status.

The measure, which also tightens border security and workplace enforcement measures, unites a group of influential liberals, centrists and conservatives and has White House backing, but it has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. In a nod to that opposition, Senate leaders won't seek to complete it before a hoped-for Memorial Day deadline.

"It would be to the best interests of the Senate ... that we not try to finish this bill this week," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., as the chamber began debate on the volatile issue. "I think we could, but I'm afraid the conclusion wouldn't be anything that anyone wanted."

The immigration bill, hailed as a bipartisan breakthrough last week, began to be picked apart this week, first by Senate Republicans, reports CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod.

Republicans want to make the bill tougher on the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. Democrats want to change a new temporary worker program and reorder priorities in a merit-based system for future immigration that weights employability over family ties.

The unlikely coalition that brokered the deal, led by Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., is keeping an eye on the legislation to guard against "deal-breaker" changes that would sap its support. The group will hold daily meetings starting Tuesday to determine whether proposed revisions would sink what they are calling their "grand bargain."

"We have to try our very best to work together to get something that will actually pass," Kyl said.

Among the first changes to be debated will be a proposal by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., to shrink the temporary worker program created by the compromise plan. Some lawmakers in both parties consider the initiative, which would provide at least 400,000 guest worker visas annually, too large.

Others charge it's impractical and unfair to immigrants, because it would allow them to stay only temporarily in the U.S. without guaranteeing them a chance to gain legal status.

"We must not create a law that guarantees a permanent underclass, people who are here to work in low-wage, low-skilled jobs but do not have the chance to put down roots or benefit from the opportunities of American citizenship," Reid said.

Reid called the measure a "starting point," but said he had reservations about it.

The measure calls for tougher border security and changes the entry criteria, emphasizing employability over family ties, adds Axelrod. But undocumented workers already here could get visas to stay while they seek permanent residency. That's what critics call "amnesty," a deal breaker for many conservatives.

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[peter776-2009]

People are flooding into this country from places like Mexico because of poverty and lack of opportunity. I sympathize with their plight, but do not believe that this tidal wave of illegal immigration is acceptable or beneficial to my country, because it is clearly neither. Rewarding illegal immigration by granting amnesty will serve only to continue and enhance the now-unfolding debacle we see all across this country. In the end, we Americans are foolish even to debate whether amnesty should be granted, or whether illegal aliens should be permitted to stay. We are still suffering from a 1960s mindset of political correctness, where no one should say anything bad about someone who is different (e.g., someone who is poor, uneducated, unskilled, unscrupulous and willing to break, and continue breaking, all sorts of our laws to remain in this country). The problems of illegal aliens are not mine, and I do not accept responsibility for them. That responsibility lies with their own countries. After illegal aliens have been deported or just gone home because we have finally smartened up and denied them jobs, education, benefits and citizenship for drop-babies, there will no doubt be social unrest in countries like Mexico, which is probably the best thing that could happen. Countries like Mexico would finally have to deal with their corruption, brutality, and screwed up societies or face revolution.

[bourbon83]

"Just a God Damm Piece of Paper"?

Where did you hear this?

[jdweymouth]

The North American Union is a plan to erase the borders between Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It is despicable. George Washington's dream was to unite the continent under the American flag, and I wouldn't have a problem with that-it is essentially us annexing the rest of the continent. Many Canadians wouldn't have a problem either. However, I have a problem with adopting the problems of a poverty-stricken country such as Mexico. I also have a problem with whites and blacks being that much closer to being outnumbered. Theodore Roosovelt said that the thing that would destroy the country is a tangle of squabling nationalities-let's not let it happen.

No amnesty! Secure the border, or else the citizenry will do it for you!

[bourbon83]

Google 'North American Union'. Read up on it, 'cause it will destroy America. One way or the other. Choose your side. I'm on the Constitutions side.


Thanks for the info TBarr. I'll research it. On the front looks very scary, but then anything Rockefellers involved in does. If the case is as stated, then I'll be on the side of our original founders. No way do I want to live under any other country than the one our relatives, and forefathers have fought and died for. Why would we? Mexico is a mess!!! NAU would make us like all the other third world country's, with bitter fighting, and civil wars as seen in Iraq! We can't get America to unify, how the heck would we get 3 mixed up country's to agree on anything?

[lestb35]

THis bill is ridiculus for a reason. It's a strategic tactic to come up with a luke warm compromise because we're all so appalled at this one. Tell your senators we want our laws upheld and we're not going to get fooled by this type of tactic.

[randalds]

That's the whole point. It will. Why do you think Bush calls the Constitution "Just a God Damm Piece of Paper"? Why do you think they are trying to keep it secret, just like this Immigration Bill? Think about it. Read up on it. I'll be around.

IMPEACH NOW! Enough is Enough! Throw the Traitor in Jail!

Ron Paul '08
Posted by t_barr at 05:24 PM : May 22, 2007

Fine, but if that's what they want then of course I oppose their idea of how to do it, but the idea itself is a good one. It just depends on who implements it and how.

[randalds]

Amazing. You're a veteran right? Sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution? Like Me. Well, the North American Union will destroy the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It will be the End of the United States as we know it. Still for it? I will die defending the Constitution, as will many others. If Bush continues on this treasonous course, there will be a revolution. Guaranteed.

Look here;
www.jbs.org/node/4022

Google 'North American Union'. Read up on it, 'cause it will destroy America. One way or the other. Choose your side. I'm on the Constitutions side.

Ron Paul '08
Posted by t_barr at 04:56 PM : May 22, 2007

I disagree. While as I've said I haven't read enough on the North American Union to have an opinion on them specifically, I do as a general principle believe in joining together with our neighbors in some type of free trade/political arrangement. And no it doesn't have to mean the end of the Constitution or the Bill of Rights as long as they're included in any agreement or understanding. Someday we are going to have to join with others in our region or get left behind by the Chinese. it's not a question of what we want or would prefer, it's a matter of reality.

[randalds]

What does your *** wife think about the Puerto Rican invasion of the Bronx or the Mexican invasion of Boyle Heights?

Are you originally a Canadian, a Mexican or an American?
Posted by cpaide at 04:42 PM : May 22, 2007

I'm an American. Born and raised in Michigan. As for my wife, why would she care (or even know) about what's going on in NYC? She lives here in L.A. with me. Oh and she's as pro-immigration as I am with her only condition being the same one I've always had, be proficient in conversational level English.

[bourbon83]

I will die defending the Constitution, as will many others. If Bush continues on this treasonous course, there will be a revolution. Guaranteed.


I'm on that train, and many others that I know.

[peter776-2009]

I think the time has come for RandalDS to stop his yammering and let other people have a voice in this discussion.