Thread: Loss likely ends '07 efforts for reforming immigration

DREAM VOTE IN SENATE
Loss likely ends '07 efforts for reforming immigration
By Christa Marshall
The Denver Post

Major changes to the country's immigration system are unlikely this year after the failure in the Senate on Wednesday of a bill that would have provided a path to citizenship for thousands of illegal immigrants.

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act would allow some people who came to the United States illegally as children to move toward legal status provided they attend college or join the military.

The proposal was a popular part of a broad immigration plan that failed in the Senate in June. But proponents of the DREAM Act wanted to see if it would pass on its own.

"Children should not be penalized for the actions of their parents," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Supporters needed 60 votes to advance the proposal, but the tally was 52-44. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., voted for the bill, and Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., voted against it.

"Granting benefits to unauthorized alien students rewards lawbreakers, undermines our immigration system, and will only encourage more illegal immigration," Allard said in a prepared statement.

Salazar said he was disappointed that the bill failed to move on: "I will continue to support it along with comprehensive immigration reform as a way to fix our broken immigration system."

Meanwhile, a spat between Rep. Tom Tancredo and Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin continued Wednesday, with words flying about the Colorado congressman's request Tuesday for an immigration raid at a Capitol Hill event.

Tancredo, a Littleton Republican and 2008 presidential candidate, informed federal immigration officials that illegal immigrants might be at the Tuesday briefing held by Durbin - an allegation that Durbin said was untrue.

Durbin criticized Tancredo's raid request from the Senate floor Wednesday.

"To turn on these children and treat them as criminals is an indication of the level of emotion and in some cases bigotry and hatred that is involved in this debate," Durbin said. "America is a better nation than what we hear from the likes of that congressman."

Immigration officials did not arrive at Durbin's news conference, despite Tancredo's call.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_7272251

"To turn on these children and treat them as criminals is an indication of the level of emotion and in some cases bigotry and hatred that is involved in this debate," Durbin said. "America is a better nation than what we hear from the likes of that congressman."

And for you Senator Turdbin to turn on American citizens is an outrage. Maybe you could learn something from Senator Tancredo! Maybe you should seek out American children who need our support and help rather than ones who should be seeking help from their own countries!

The Dem's. are still looking for votes so I don't trust them to let this drop, we will have to stay on guard.

Illegal children are criminals and so are the senators who have failed in offsight of enforcement of immigration laws and are instead trying to support illegal immigration, voter fraud, ID fraud, and thief of benefits that are meant for Americans.

Call them and ask them...do they have any legislature pending for child of American Prisoners who need a Dream Act of their own...I mean these children should not be punished for their parents mistakes either...They should start with Americans first and then we will maybe willing to discuss the invaders children in the future