Thread: Sen, Nelson (Fla) Noncommitted on Bill

There is hope in Florida as Nelson is not on the same page as Martinez.

http://www.miamiherald.com/416/story/114174.html

Sen. Nelson noncommittal on immigration bill
BY LESLEY CLARK
lclark@MiamiHerald.com

WASHINGTON -- Everyone knows where Sen. Mel Martinez stands when it comes to a new Senate immigration pact: The Florida Republican was one of its chief negotiators and went on television over the weekend to defend it.

Sen. Bill Nelson? The Orlando Democrat said Monday he's just starting to read the legislation -- its 326 pages were released over the weekend -- and he has some reservations.

''It's a step in the right direction, but there are a number of things in it that have to be fleshed out for me before I'm willing to vote for it,'' Nelson said.

For starters, Nelson said he's troubled by the temporary worker program that would provide 400,000 visas a year for workers coming to the U.S. to meet labor needs.

He said he was concerned the temporary program could ``start to create the very problem we're trying to overcome now. That suddenly they get here and they disappear and they're illegal.

''The whole idea of this is to legalize immigration,'' Nelson said. ``And to give all of those people back in those countries who have been obeying the law and waiting patiently in line to come, immigrate legally, to give them the chance instead of people jumping ahead of them.''

Nelson last year took flack from pro-immigration advocates for what they saw as only tepid support for legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Nelson last May voted for the final Senate bill after seeing that it included his calls for electronic border surveillance and more space to house detainees.

But Nelson said he disagrees with critics of the new legislation who say the bill grants ''amnesty'' to those who are here illegally. He noted it would require illegal immigrants to pay a fine, pay taxes, speak English, hold a job and have a clean record.

''At first blush this bill addresses that in that they pay significant fines and then they go to the back of the line,'' Nelson said.

Martinez, who has taken shots from both conservatives within his own party and immigration advocates critical of its approach, noted on the Senate floor that the legislation was a bipartisan product but ``obviously was not going to be unanimously praised.

''This is a bill that strikes it down the middle pretty well,'' said Martinez, noting he was following Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. -- who were each critical of the legislation from different angles.

Special interest groups amped up the pressure Monday as the Senate opened debate. Jose Lagos, president of Honduran Unity in Miami, said several groups sponsored a phone bank to call all 100 senators, asking them to vote for the legislation ``as a starting point for a very much needed immigration reform debate.''

At several points Monday, both receptionists in Nelson's Senate office fielded a flurry of phone calls, telling callers that Nelson was reserving judgment on the legislation.

Nelson said he talked about the legislation last week with Martinez, whom he said ''felt quite good'' about the compromise.

Nelson, though, was noncommittal:

``I told him I was looking forward to talking with him further about it.''

Monday, May 21, 2007

More Hope For Florida

WASHINGTON — Congressman Connie Mack says a new immigration proposal would be unfair if it allows millions of illegal immigration amnesty and citizenship.

This following is a statement released by Mack:

“America is a nation of immigrants and a beacon for those seeking freedom. But our nation must ensure that those who come to our shores seeking a better life do so legally, and we must not reward those who are here illegally with special programs, privileges and perks.

“I’m pleased that this plan takes steps to increase border security. But it would also grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants and streamline their path to permanent residency and citizenship. That’s wrong, and it’s extraordinarily unfair to the millions of legal immigrants who have worked hard and followed the rules. The plan also includes numerous other troubling provisions, including allowing taxpayer dollars to subsidize college educations for illegal immigrants. That’s an outrage.

“The United States can and must devise a legal immigration process that supports the country’s economic needs without providing amnesty and undue benefits for those who are here illegally. But the deal announced between the White House and the Senate fails to achieve that critical objective and I will not support it.â€

But Nelson said he disagrees with critics of the new legislation who say the bill grants ''amnesty'' to those who are here illegally. He noted it would require illegal immigrants to pay a fine, pay taxes, speak English, hold a job and have a clean record.

''At first blush this bill addresses that in that they pay significant fines and then they go to the back of the line,'' Nelson said.

Exactly what line are they going to the back of? Oh that's right, there going to the back of the line that allows them to stay here in the United States while the legal immigrant line starts outside the United States. This is amnesty in its purest form because these folks will be legalized immediately after the bill is signed into law. They may not get a green card or citizenship immediately, but they will be legalized. By the way, you're fooling yourself if you think they'll end up paying a $5,000 fine! That fine will end up being phased out before the first payment is made. Kennedy and his followers will see to that.

How do you know where Nelson stands? He didn't vote in the cloture vote.

Dixie

Originally Posted by Dixie

How do you know where Nelson stands? He didn't vote in the cloture vote.

Dixie

I was watching the vote on c-span. Nelson voted I on the cloture vote.