Thread: Immigration bill's prospects seem very dim

Immigration bill's prospects seem very dim

By Gannett News Service
December 17, 2009

WASHINGTON - A leading congressional advocate for immigrants' rights introduced a bill Tuesday that would allow millions of illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens and would end a controversial program that enlists local police to enforce immigration laws.

The 700-page bill by Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., is widely viewed as too liberal to pass.

Obama administration officials have said they are looking instead to a very moderate, bipartisan immigration reform bill to be introduced in the Senate early next year by Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

Still, Gutierrez made it clear that he and his allies expect a seat at the negotiating table as lawmakers and the White House seek middle ground on the polarizing issue.

Gutierrez's bill, only endorsed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Black Caucus and Asian Pacific American Caucus, would allow illegal immigrants to stay in the country while they apply to become legal residents or citizens.

They would have to pay a $500 fine and show they've made a contribution to the country through work, education, military or community service.

The legislation repeals the 287(g) program, which enlists local police and sheriff's deputies to enforce federal immigration law. The bill says only the federal government has the authority to enforce those laws.

It includes a provision that would allow states to offer in-state school tuition to students who aren't citizens and whose parents may be in the country illegally.

The bill acknowledges that strong border security is needed, but it also calls for increased oversight of border control agents to ensure civil liberties are protected.

"As a candidate for president, Barack Obama promised comprehensive immigration reform, and we have brought him the bill to accomplish this," Gutierrez said.

Opponents of the bill said they're very angry the bill offers amnesty to millions of illegal workers while so many U.S. and legal citizens are out of work.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... rss&feed=2

Obama administration officials have said they are looking instead to a very moderate, bipartisan immigration reform bill to be introduced in the Senate early next year by Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

And here comes their transparently deceptive amnesty game plan. We know from Schumer's outline and Graham's history, their mass amnesty bill will be anything but "very moderate," and rather will be the same old "amnesty now" with hollow promises of future enforcement -- expecting us to swallow this even after Napolitano has gutted almost all effective enforcement.

Let's start combating these lies now.

The 700-page bill by Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., is widely viewed as too liberal to pass.

This is all part of the plan. Gutierrez knows this version of the bill is not going to pass. But by introducing the bill, he believes a version after being kicked around the House and Senate will be agreed upon and then passed, especially if he cries loud enough.

Schumer working on immigration reform -- again

April 25, 2009 By TOM BRUNE tom.brune@newsday.com

WASHINGTON - When President Ronald Reagan signed the historic but ultimately ineffective 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, one lawmaker he thanked by name was Chuck Schumer.

http://www.newsday.com/news/schumer-wor ... -1.1220457

June 25, 2007
Fool Me Once; Or, Remembering Schumer’s Secret Tax Amnesty In 1986

http://www.vdare.com/misc/070625_reader.htm

No part of amnesty is "moderate".