Senate Revives Immigration Bill

Key Senators Reach Agreement After President Bush Offers $4.4B For Border Security

(CBS/AP)  Key senators tentatively agreed on a plan to revive a stalled immigration bill on Thursday, aided by President Bush's support for a quick $4.4 billion aimed at "securing our borders and enforcing our laws at the work site."

After a series of meetings, the negotiator for the Democrats, Sen. Ted Kennedy, and the negotiator for the Republicans, Sen. John Kyl, said they would present their plan to their parties' leaders, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., reports CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson.

Reid and McConnell released a statement Thursday night saying the bill will go back to the Seante floor.

"We met this evening with several of the Senators involved in the immigration bill negotiations," it read. "Based on that discussion, the immigration bill will return to the Senate floor after completion of the energy bill."

In general, according to officials familiar with the discussions, Republicans and Democrats would each be accorded roughly a dozen chances to amend the measure, with the hope that they would then combine to provide the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster by die-hard opponents. The officials who described the emerging plan did so on condition of anonymity, saying the negotiations had been conducted in private.

The legislation has generated intense controversy, particularly for provisions envisioning eventual citizenship for many of the estimated 12 million immigrants now in the country unlawfully. The bill also calls for greater border security and a crackdown on the hiring of illegal employees.

"We're going to show the American people that the promises in this bill will be kept," Mr. Bush said, two days after launching a personal rescue mission.

Any agreement is subject to approval by Reid, who has said repeatedly it is up to Mr. Bush and Republicans to line up the votes needed to advance the measure if it is to be brought back to the Senate for debate. Reid, who has expressed misgivings about elements of the bill, sidetracked it last week after supporters gained only 45 of the 60 votes needed.

Republicans accounted for only seven of the 45 votes, and Reid said earlier this week, "We'll move on to immigration when they have their own act together."

President Bush's decision to personally announce support for the accelerated funding reflected concerns expressed by Republican senators at a closed-door meeting on Tuesday. Several told him their constituents doubted the government was capable of following through on a commitment to enforce immigration laws.

In a letter sent to Mr. Bush before the meeting, Georgia Republican Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson wrote, "This lack of trust is rooted in the mistakes made in 1986, and the continued chaos surrounding our immigration laws. Understandably, the lack of credibility the federal government has on this issue gives merit to the skepticism of many about future immigration reform."

Under the legislation as drafted, money for border enforcement would be collected gradually as illegal immigrants pay the fines and fees needed to achieve legal status. The letter asked Mr. Bush to secure the border before other elements of the immigration measure go into effect, and the president agreed in his remarks to the Associated Builders and Contractors.

"One common concern is whether the government will provide the resources to meet the goals in the bill. They say, 'It's fine to talk about it, are you actually going to do something?'" he said.

"To answer these concerns I support an amendment that will provide $4.4 billion in immediate additional funding for securing our borders and enforcing our laws at the work site," he said.

"By matching our benchmarks with these critical funds, we're going to show the American people that the promises in this bill will be kept."

Two Republican supporters of the legislation, Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Kyl of Arizona, had previously proposed advanced funding.

"The moment the presidential signing pen meets the paper these funds will be available," Graham said in a statement welcoming Mr. Bush's remarks.

But Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., an opponent of the legislation, took a different view. "I appreciate the effort to fund border security, but there's simply no reason why we should be forced to tie amnesty to it. If the administration was serious about fulfilling the border security promises, then this funding should have been supported all along, not offered at the last minute to attract votes to a bad bill."

Even a decision to return the bill to the Senate floor does not guarantee its passage, given the intense opposition. "We've got people out there on both sides really ready to burn the place down," said Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi, the second-ranking Republican. "I don't think we ought to let that happen."

The calendar, too, presents obstacles to any attempt to pass the measure before the Senate begins a scheduled vacation in two weeks. Should they choose, critics of the immigration measure could slow progress on other measures Reid wants debated in the next two weeks. The effect would be to further reduce prospects for passage of the immigration bill.

[acauble1]

Wow! $4.4 Billion dollars! Wooo Hooo!

It goes to show you that our government has no interest in securing the borders and never will.

12+ million illegal immigrants today...

... how many millions more 5, 10, 20 years from now?

What have our soldiers died for over the past 231 years?

[prinzowhales]

The Bush Regime refuses to enforce the law as Bush and his Administration officials are sworn to do. One would have to be either simple or criminally complicit to buy into his amnesty package. Bush is not an honorable man. He does not have honorable men and women around him. You cannot take their word that they will enforce the current law and protect the border! The Congress can put all the money in the world into the bill for border protection--it does not mean that Bush will use it as intended.

[nottellin1]

Egad this is such lousy reporting, I wonder what CBS is trying to make the public think when they write garbage like "Reid, who has expressed misgivings about elements of the bill, sidetracked it last week after supporters gained only 45 of the 60 votes needed", FOR CLOTURE! This reads like 45 of 60 votes for the bill.

We're screwed all the way around.

[heyitsme_76]

Aaah.. If only the American people could somehow convince these pimps on Capitol Hill to work with such determined effort and in such a bipartisan manner in solving all the other serious issues in our country like healthcare, economy and foreign policy.. :(

[nottellin1]

This is interesting, type 'immigration' in the search bar at the top of page and along with the results, look at the ad box and look for the one entitled 'us immigration lottery'. What the F?

[radiob-2009]

What is dumbfounding is that the issue of illegal immigrants is neither what the opposition or the proactivist proclaim it to be. The issue is economics, it is what has drove the illegals into this country and it is the reason the opposition to the bill are opposed to it.Mexico is the 15th largest growing economy in the world, unfortunately for most Mexicans this means nothing as their average wage is $3 a day.How about addressing the real issue here, the lack of a living wage in Mexico by addressing NAFTA and all other free trade agreements.Refuse to renew these trade agreements without a living wage clause for the native people.

[nottellin1]

radiob

NAFTA is a POS and always has been. I think at least part of the reason that the government won't enforce the 1986 law against employers is because they are worried that some might just move the business to Mex or Canada.

We're doomed.

[radiob-2009]

NAFTA is a POS and always has been. I think at least part of the reason that the government won't enforce the 1986 law against employers is because they are worried that some might just move the business to Mex or Canada.

We're doomed.
Posted by nottellin1

Virtually all trade agreements are not what they should be or at least what they were sold to the American public on, the premise of creating new jobs abroad and at home simultaneously lifting wages in the nations that sign and promoting freedom. That is why before they are renewed a living wage must be included in them, then they would do what they were intended to do. Our jobs have already moved overseas on account of these agreements to lower wages (slave wages, child labor, mandated abortions etc) only through reform of the treaties and tarriffs can this be rectified.

[nottellin1]

I dont know how I missed this story yesterday, I suspect others may have too as there is not one comment.

What We Owe Illegal Immigrants

[reel-crazy]

There is nothing to debate on this issue. Our GOVERNMENT will NEVER collect enough to REPAY our GOVERNMENT for loaning this 4.4 billion anyway. Simple math will show you that. More smoke and mirror techniques is all this is. If any of you Senators are buying the BoyBlunder's idea, you need mental help and a new calculator...

[randalds]

Secure the border AND Amnesty at the same time! Those on the right want the border secured (as we all do) and those of us on the left want a real path to citizenship for those already here. I still don't understand why we both can't get what we want. Spend the 4+ billion on securing the border and at the same time create a real path to citizenship. Makes perfect sense.

[nottellin1]

Posted by Reel-Crazy at 07:54 PM : Jun 14, 2007

I agree with your last post 100 percent. If this bill were to pass, most illegals wont 'register' anyway, therefore very few fines will be paid. These are people that are so used to living under the radar, most just wont do it.

[randalds]

I agree with your last post 100 percent. If this bill were to pass, most illegals wont 'register' anyway, therefore very few fines will be paid. These are people that are so used to living under the radar, most just wont do it.
Posted by nottellin1 at 07:59 PM : Jun 14, 2007

So drop the fine along with the returning to their home country to get back in line. No one is going to do them anyway so as long as they're in this bill they're just a waste of space.

[acauble1]

The American people are beginning to gain too much intelligence for the ruling elites of this country.

That's why both parties want to legalized tens-of-millions of illegal immigrants, in hopes to gain a new voting base. Hand a milk-bone to a dog enough times, and you can train it to do whatever you want.

Many illegals come here with minimal to no education in hopes to find work. With the various 'visas' given to them, it's like handing a dog a milk bone. Give the illegal immigrants enough 'perks' (that us taxpayers fork over arms and legs for) and the [future legal] immigrants will completely roll over for the politicians who gave it to them.

The bulk of the politicians in D.C. are self-centered, greedy, evil, whatever you want to call them... but they're not stupid.

(okay, except for Bush).

[smirk5]

Shouldn't Bush first give us an update on the status of his Mars Mission vision before working on this?

[nottellin1]

So drop the fine along with the returning to their home country to get back in line. No one is going to do them anyway so as long as they're in this bill they're just a waste of space.
Posted by RandalDS at 08:00 PM : Jun 14, 2007

Gee if we could agree on that, there'd be no problem. Sorry, I still want them to all go home so that they can come back legally and be counted, preferably with limits. I don't care about the fine but what you are suggesting will not solve the problem of identifying them.

[randalds]

Gee if we could agree on that, there'd be no problem. Sorry, I still want them to all go home so that they can come back legally and be counted, preferably with limits. I don't care about the fine but what you are suggesting will not solve the problem of identifying them.
Posted by nottellin1 at 08:24 PM : Jun 14, 2007

Sure it will. If there is no fine and they don't have to return to their home country (two things they won't do anyway) before they can become citizens then they'll come pouring out of the woodwork to sign up. Nearly all of them would rather be here as legal citizens then not and once we have the bulk of them who do sign up taken care of, then we can concentrate our resources on going after the ones who still want to be here illegally. Sort of like let's clear our plate before we go after the bad ones.

[maedean]

We owe these people nothing!!! Spend the money loading them up and ship them out ....Take the president with them. Then close off the borders.Get them out first.

[nottellin1]

The bulk of the politicians in D.C. are self-centered, greedy, evil, whatever you want to call them... but they're not stupid.

(okay, except for Bush).
Posted by acauble1 at 08:04 PM : Jun 14, 2007

You are so right, at least in regard to the illegals that are Mexican. In many parts of Mex you have Jeffe's and peons. The workers are so grateful to the cheifs for their largesse that they happily go along with poor conditions. But our politicians aren't as smart as they believe because in Mex, only 46 percent of eligible voters do in fact vote and 70 percent of that are Jeffes.

[gil3al]

Once again, the senate in its' infinite wisdom has shown just how easily they can be bought!! 4 billion (and change) to build a fence that money was appropriated for last year. And how much fencing has been built since November 06? 11 miles. No doubt there will be some that will say, 'golly gee, now I can vote for it'. In the mean time, the senate famous for its inaction on important issues, the border remains open, the flood continues.

[randalds]

And how much fencing has been built since November 06? 11 miles.

Posted by gil3al at 08:36 PM : Jun 14, 2007

That's because the government can't afford to build it without using undocumented workers, just like the company that built the fence in San Diego did.

[nottellin1]

Sorry, I still want them to come home and go through what almost every other legal immigrant has had to go through, otherwise, it is just not fair. I have no problem even giving them some type of card or ticket to provce that they have something here to come back to, no fine. I do not believe that they should be rewarded for being here illegally, staging demos, acting as criminals in regard to documentation and spitting it back in our faces. Please don't accuse me of being inhumane because I help pack and deliver 120 boxes of food to the working poor in LA every month, man of the families that we help are here illegally.

[redgtogoat]

If Bush were honest on this issue he would have been enforcing our existing immigration laws which call for border protection and illegal alien slave trader hiring penalties. The 700 mile fence was passed last year and is under funded and only 12 miles have been built. This is another scam Bush is passing along to we The People! This new promise is nothing more than a shell game and is a ploy to give amnesty to the 12 - 20 million illegal aliens in support of the LaRaza/MEcha lobby. This bill is a complete sellout of our nation against The Will of The People.

[fredgrad2000]

"They keep saying that the status quo is unacceptable. I agree!! Let us start changing things by plugging the borders first. All we have to do is simply enforce the laws already on the books (don't need to create new ones). In a couple of years let us do a head count of illegal immigrants. If that number has not gone up, then the ones still here should be given a path to legalize their status. Once it can be VERIFIED that the border is shut to illegals, then it would be a lot easier to accept talking about accepting them."
Posted by abnerm

Completely agree, right on...anyone rationale knows that we cannot jail or round-up and expel the current 12m illegal aliens; but we have to now stop more inflow. The humane, logicial step since we do use the labor of these 12m people (we're at full employment in economic terms here in the US) is once we close off the border to allow the people here, at that point, a path to citizenship - but this issue just exacerbates if border security isn't first.

[sandycat2]

Our President and our Senators should be ashamed of themselves. The US government makes this American sick. Not only do they have a culture of corruption, but they are totally awash in it. Any congressman who votes for this stupid bill has had their vote bought by corporations who want cheap labor thereby lowering wages for real American citizens. Where does it say in our constitution that these scumbags should be representing the interests of corporations and foreign nationals over the interests of Americans. This corrupt government should have spent the money to close the southern border six years ago, right after 9/11. I think Americans need to have another tea party. No taxation without representation. Cause our government sure isn't representing the interests of Americans.

[acauble1]

We need a National ID (RFID) Card!

Two designations:

1. U.S. Citizen

2. Legal - resident alien

That will solve the forged/fake documents issue, (provided the cards include an RFID chip embedded)

This card will replace those old tattered Social Security cards that are a big joke, (since a $50 printer can reproduce similar quality).

[tbweb]

An amendment should be added to allow for tamper proof Bio Signature National ID cards. Bio Signature National ID cards are the teeth to insuring enforcement and give Law Enforcement a tool they need manage and track illegal immigrants. In exchange for Amnesty, opps, I mean a legal path to citizenship, Bio Signature National ID cards would be a fair trade off. If a person in the U.S. doesn%u2019t have a National ID card without a good reason, they get deported, no ifs, ands, buts or exceptions! Why is the administration so scared of a National ID card? It makes you wonder, because the National ID card closes those cracks being left open in the doors.

[nottellin1]

Sandycat - if this passes against majority objection, even Randy says he doesn't want it to pass, we need to group against taxation without Rep and go for it.

[payasyougo]

Future politicians take note. I will vote in '08 for anyone that will follow thru with the following:
1) Overturn this legislation retroactively if it passes; 2) Use the registration list to enable rapid deportation - once they register, we will know who they are; 3) terminate the federal pension system for our government branches and replace it with a 401k plan; 4) terminate the free healthcare for our government branches and replace it with managed health care; 5) require 80% direct participation in government business.

[ourtomorrows]

Well done Mr. President!

[payasyougo]

The problem with the current congress is they think everything is free so they have no problem giving it away. Oh thats right, everything is free to congress.

[tbweb]

An illegal immigrant hit my car in a convenience store parking lot in a stolen car and when I walked up to his car to discuss the matter he speeded off shrugging his shoulders as if to gesture he could not stick around. The Police who took my accident report which ended up costing me several hundred dollars out of pocket told me this happens all the time. I was upset, I pressed the Police to check the store video cameras and get finger prints! The Police said even if they had a picture from the store video or figure prints, there was no way to know who it was or track them down; these illegals just disappear into the American landscape! Then I said this is just a fender bender, what if it was a serious crime like assault or rape or even murder, the Police replied with the same answer, we have no way of tracking these illegals. Some type of National ID card or ID system is needed, these illegals cannot just roam the U.S. with no ID and get away with crimes!

[nottellin1]

MSNBC has a great map showing the est. number of illegals in each state. Cali has almost twice as many as any other state, 3x more than FL and you all think you have problems. Heres the link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19127991/site/newsweek/

[tasmhs]

There is no "deal", this is all heat and no light. They won't get cloture next week, this is all just a waste of time and energy. Immigration will have to be dealt with in 2009 by a new Congress and a new President. The End.

[nottellin1]

Why has the US become soooooooo weak?
Posted by jeff92706 at 10:12 PM : Jun 14, 2007


Because we, the US, want everyone to think we're great apparently. Oh like some of us that post here do as well. We do need to trade with other countries to some extent, but few other countries are as concerned about our image as the US, or maybe just the US Pres.

[furman2008]

We need this bill NOW! People have to start being realistic and realize that these immigrants and here and are contributing to our society. How about we try a humane approach to people who are pursuing the exact same thing we want, A BETTER LIFE. How about we start acting like Americans and not some heartless, mindless people.

[Pocko]

Bush is a traitor and needs to be brought before the tribunal. Perhaps Obama will see it done.

[radiob-2009]

You would have a better chance of convincing me that the world was FLAT!
Posted by ozilot


Ozzy in some cases it is. Extreme views prove it all the time.

[sonson9]

GOD!!!! made this world so everbody can live happy. i don't belive in some family having food and somE don't. all of us have to leve this land some day. we should put people FRIST!!!! immigrants are here doing the jobs america citizen are not doing. GOD!!!bless PRESIDENT BUSH.

[randalds]

Ain't no god so it has nothing to do with this issue. I support the rights and cause of undocumented workers, but will not make this a religious issue.

[bm6005]

Now let's discuss CONgress. Vote every single one of them out (yea, your people also). Elect a new congress of working class people. You know those who've worked for a living. Then watch them like a hawk!

[tbweb]

Furman2008 wrote:

How about we start acting like Americans and not some heartless, mindless people.

Posted by Furman2008 at 10:21 PM : Jun 14, 2007

Furman2008,,,

You are right in one context, but Americans do support legal immigration and are not heartless and mindless. The only problem with our current situation is we are dealing with illegal immigration, illegal criminal immigration line jumpers, criminals always complicate issues. Its bad enough a lot of Americans donot even want legal immigration so to consider illegal immigration and make 12 million criminals legal freaks a lot of Americans out, rubs many the wrong way! As Americans we need to look out for the rights of those waiting in immigration lines legally, who obeyed U.S. Laws and procedures and tried to come to the U.S. the legal, correct way. Where is the sympathy for those people? We need a mix of immigrants from around the world and not all from Mexico. The legal Mexican immigrants can do the same things the illegal Mexican immigrants can do except be exploitation bait! The problem with legal immigrants is that you have to pay them the minimum wage!

[socrates392]

"Now let's discuss CONgress. Vote every single one of them out (yea, your people also). Elect a new congress of working class people. You know those who've worked for a living. Then watch them like a hawk!"

Posted by bm6005 at 11:15 PM : Jun 14, 2007

Although I appreciate the sentiment, I don't have much more faith in "working class people" than I do in our CONgressmen. Remember, these are the same working class joes who still think Saddam Hussein was behind 9/11! I'm not sure whether I prefer greedy technocrats or ignorant commoners. Half a dozen of one, six of another.

Really, I think our whole society needs a radical shift in values-- not just our incompetant senators, but us average joes too.

[bm6005]

How about we start acting like Americans and not some heartless, mindless people.
Posted by Furman2008

Both my grandfathers came here from Italy in the early 20th Century. They came thru Ellis Island and made a life for themselves. They learned English, they paid taxes and they raised their families. Of course you couldn't wade the Atlantic but they did it legally. Illegal immigrants today only do two of the three. I'm not heartless but I am hardnosed on this subject. American citizens get my vote no matter what their origin!

[miamaroto]

Furman 2008 is correct. People are beginning to lose their minds over the issue. The border had been open for years. All you had to do was jump over a rain puddle and you were in the states. The word got out about how easy it was to have a better life. For years illegal immigration was accepted and now suddenly we want to just throw everyone out of here. It does not work that way because people have roots here, particularly families. American citizen spouses like myself are separated from their husbands and wives. Children are being left homeless and are becoming a part of the foster care system. People should be allowed to stay and support their own families. Many people don't see faces with these mass deportations. They don't see the families being torn apart. Real Americans are not inhumane. Take a deep breath and realize that our really good jobs are being shipped over seas and not being given to illegal immigrants.

[bellal-2009]

I don't care how much money they throw at this bill or how they package it, it feels like a trick or a taxpayer nightmare waiting to happen. They need to start right now today and use the original funds appropriated to the 1986 bill and secure the border. Next they need to do the work INS used to do and raid employers, deporting undocumented workers. Believe it or not they used to actually enforce the immigration laws. But everything went nuts with the corporate mentality of Reagan.

[bm6005]

Although I appreciate the sentiment, I don't have much more faith in "working class people" than I do in our CONgressmen. Remember, these are the same working class joes who still think Saddam Hussein was behind 9/11!
Posted by socrates392

They believe that since they've been lied to by the technocrat LAWYER scum who've run our country into the ground. I'm a college graduate and I'm comfortable around these folks. Given the proper data I believe they'd make better dedcisions. Have you ever heard of Quality Circles? They work. Good people rise to the top when given the chance. Now, do I always agree with them? No, but they're not back stabbers like the professional pols!

[bm6005]

miamaroto;
No problem, take the whole family with you!

[john lie]

president bush is looking to come up witha solution for the immigration problem.
people like lou dobbs have a problem with identifying the undocumented aliens who have come to the usa for a better life.
the immigration bill is designed to deal with the problem without animosity and without amnesty
if lou dobbs is really concerned about securing the us borders why does he focus on only one word'amnesty'.
this bill is a total package trying to solve the problem. it may not be perfect but it's a start.
lay off lou dobbs ;
remember securing the borders,knowing who is in the country,solve the problem of 12 million illegals already in the us,
don't worry there is enough room for everyone,you don't have to give up your 300 acres.
p.s you have a bunch of mexicans take care of those 300acres???lol

[bellal-2009]

I don't see how anything short of deportation would be fair or acceptable. Go home and apply to re-enter the United States. If in fact we do need the "unskilled labor" (doubtful) then and only then quest workers. I've seen how wages have at best stagnated but mostly fell after this massive wave of illegal immigrants. They need to do the right thing and go home in mass and demand their country take care of them. How about the 2nd richest man in the world from Mexico give a comment on this. Where is HIS philanthropy.