Thread: Immigration activists say House bill might work

Published: 03.22.2007
Immigration activists say House bill might work
BLAKE MORLOCK and Gannett News Service
Tucson Citizen
Local immigration advocates say they can work with a law proposed today to radically change how people come into the U.S., how the borders are defended and who gets to stay despite having entered the country illegally.
The STRIVE Act (Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy) was introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives and lawmakers will race to get the bill passed by Labor Day. The 2008 Election will stop controversial legislation cold by late this year.
Under the proposal, millions of illegal immigrants could get permission to stay in the U.S. after paying fines, proving themselves of "good moral character," and leaving the country to re-enter.
The bill also would allow up to 400,000 foreign workers to come to the U.S. every year.
Get-tough requirements were also added to provide potential Republican supporters political cover.
The legislation would increase federal agents guarding the border, require Homeland Security officials to certify that border security and work site enforcement measures are in place before allowing foreign workers to apply for new visas. It would also require that every other measure of the bill be in place before those here illegally now can apply for permanent status.
Immigrant advocates embrace the bill as a starting point but want to see some changes.
"We applaud the Congress for introducing a bipartisan and comprehensive immigration reform bill," said Jennifer Allen, director of the Tucson-based Border Action Network, devoted to promoting rights of immigrants of all stripes and border communities. "If something doesn't get passed this year, our communities will continue to struggle and suffer."
However, she and representatives of the like-minded Derechos Humanos oppose forcing illegal immigrants to leave the country. The groups also want to see more oversight of border security authorities to prevent abuses.
They also question how many people may be denied a ruling of "good moral character" based on vague language defining it.
Supporters said the bill is written to get the votes to pass a Congress dubious of the immigration issue.
"This bill will end illegal immigration," said Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., the bill's chief co-sponsor along with Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.
Supporters of immigration reform believe they have their best chance of passing legislation in years with Democrats in control of Congress and the White House pressing hard for GOP allies to sign on to the bill as well. The Senate passed similar legislation last year, but border security hard-liners in the House kept the two chambers from negotiating a final compromise proposal.
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who represents the eastern part of Tucson and southeastern Arizona, is happy with the bill.
"It's tough, it's practical and it's effective," Giffords said.
But today's move underscored difficulties still ahead for reformers, who had expected the Senate to take up immigration well before the House did. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., are still discussing what to do about immigration in the Senate weeks after lobbyists and aides had hoped a bill would be introduced.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the new bill provides "an excellent framework" for immigration legislation, and community organizers said they hoped the bill will help move the debate along.
The tougher provisions added to the bill did little to placate longtime critics.
"They keep changing the shade of lipstick, but like I've said time and time again, it's still the same old pig," said Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., who is running for the GOP presidential nomination on a fiercely anti-illegal immigration platform.http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/all_headlines/45806

"It's tough, it's practical and it's effective," Giffords said.

Not to mention unenforceable!

700 PAGES of crap!!!!

Over my dead body............this is going to make Americans rise up in unison and show the traitors in congress just where the bears do doo doo in the woods!!

Thomas isn't showing this travesty yet, btw.

2ndamendsis wrote:

Over my dead body............this is going to make Americans rise up in unison and show the traitors in congress just where the bears do doo doo in the woods!!

You got that right , Sis!

Originally Posted by April

2ndamendsis wrote:

Over my dead body............this is going to make Americans rise up in unison and show the traitors in congress just where the bears do doo doo in the woods!!

You got that right , Sis!

Damn but that's just perfect, APRIL.

ROTFLMAO

Is someone in that Congress going to ever get serious about the 14th Amendment?
Seems to me that should be addressed before any kind of immigration bill.
Isn't that common sense?

Of course the "Activists" think it might work ----

IT'S AMNESTY!!!!!

Exactly what they wanted.

Under the proposal, millions of illegal immigrants could get permission to stay in the U.S. after paying fines, proving themselves of "good moral character," and leaving the country to re-enter.

WRONG! NO RESIDENCY--NO RETURN! THEY CAN PAY THE FINE BEFORE BEING PERMANENTLY DEPORTED; that will help defray the cost to U.S. Taxpayers.

Originally Posted by jean

Is someone in that Congress going to ever get serious about the 14th Amendment?
Seems to me that should be addressed before any kind of immigration bill.
Isn't that common sense?

that is exactly the point, JEAN.

Any guest worker/temp worker program that they can possibly conjur up will be an AMNESTY by any other name with ANCHOR BABIES anchoring them here.

ANCHORING them to every entitlement that sucks us dry as well as destroying our educational system!!

Originally Posted by 2ndamendsis

Originally Posted by jean

Is someone in that Congress going to ever get serious about the 14th Amendment?
Seems to me that should be addressed before any kind of immigration bill.
Isn't that common sense?

that is exactly the point, JEAN.

Any guest worker/temp worker program that they can possibly conjur up will be an AMNESTY by any other name with ANCHOR BABIES anchoring them here.

ANCHORING them to every entitlement that sucks us dry as well as destroying our educational system!!

Well, seems to me if any kind of immigration bill is to be taken seriously the 14th amendment must be address FIRST!