Thread: US Senate impasse remains, despite immigrant protests

http://today.reuters.com/News/CrisesArt ... =N02292619

US Senate impasse remains, despite immigrant protests
Tue 2 May 2006 4:45 PM ET

By Donna Smith

WASHINGTON, May 2 (Reuters) - A nationwide boycott by Hispanic groups and others seeking rights for illegal immigrants was unlikely to help break a U.S. Senate impasse on an overhaul of immigration laws, Republican lawmakers said on Tuesday.

Hundreds of thousands of immigrants and their supporters walked off their jobs and held protests around the country on Monday in a display of economic might aimed at persuading Congress to pass a law giving them a chance of citizenship.

"It didn't really affect what goes on the floor of the Senate," said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican.

Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican who opposes a bipartisan Senate bill that would give millions of illegal immigrants a chance to earn U.S. citizenship, said he doubted the protests would have much impact.

"If anything, I think it may have alienated some people," he said.

That assessment reflected commentary on Tuesday in many newspaper editorials, which said the boycott was unlikely to settle the debate.

But Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said the large, peaceful rallies had a powerful impact and vowed to push for the bipartisan Senate bill.

"I'm not going to roll over," Reid told reporters. "I can't, this is too important an issue."

In an effort to break an impasse over possible amendments that stalled the Senate bill last month, Reid offered to limit the number of amendments to 10 for each party.

But Frist did not accept that and told reporters talks would continue in an effort to bring the bill up for further Senate consideration by the end of the month.

Reid cast doubt on its prospects during this congressional election year.

"My best assessment is they don't want a bill," Reid said about majority Republicans.

Democrats fear Republicans will try to water down the bill through the amendment process.

Reid is also seeking assurances that the Senate would hold its position in eventual negotiations with the U.S. House of Representatives, which has already passed a bill that criminalizes illegal presence in the United States.

The House bill would make illegal presence in the United States a felony instead of a civil offense and calls for construction of a fence along parts of the U.S. border with Mexico. Any Senate bill would have to be merged with the House measure.

The Senate bill includes border security and enforcement measures. It also would create a guest worker program backed by President George W. Bush and would give some of the estimated 11.5 million to 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States a chance to earn citizenship. They would have to pay a fine, pay back taxes, show an understanding of English and meet other requirements.

status quo......

I didn't think they were going to do anything with the election so close. Everyone wants to feel they have two years from the total betrayal of our country until the next time they ask citizens to vote them into office.

MJ

Personally I feel Bush wants to see the country in crisis before he leaves office. I have been talking to alot of people and they feel if the illegals don't get what they are asking for they will turn nasty. However we can't let them walk on us, this will be the 2nd time we granted ammisity to illegals (last time was in 1980) at which time our government was suppose to make sure this problem did not reaccur. To say the least we have for the last 26 years elected liers since not one of them has upheld the promises made. Illegal Americans have to keep putting pressure on our elected officials and not let up flood them with calls emails and faxes until they get the message

I've called my senators' offices so often I think they recognize my voice now.

I just called all 3 and 2 out of 3 atually asked if I wanted to leave my name and what my zip code was thats a first

They would have to pay a fine, pay back taxes, show an understanding of English and meet other requirements.

Has anyone heard them say how long these people would have to pay their fine, taxes and learn english? What if they don't do these things, are they then deported? My guess is that most would do none of those things.

They have no plan to execute the fine, back taxes or establish how long they have been in this country and frankly I do not think they ever will. Again even if some form of this does pass, this sends the wrong message and millions of others will invade our country.

Again even if some form of this does pass, this sends the wrong message and millions of others will invade our country.
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We CANNOT allow that to happen.

MJ