Thread: Rino Pence trots out another 'compromise' scheme

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01004.html

Immigration Bill Aims to Bridge Republican Divide

By Jim VandeHei and Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, July 25, 2006; Page A07

In an attempt to strike a pre-election Republican compromise on immigration, two conservative lawmakers will unveil a plan today that would allow most of the 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States a chance to work here legally, but only after the government certifies that U.S. borders have been sufficiently secured, two congressional aides said.

The proposal -- sponsored by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Tex.) and Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.) -- would pressure illegal immigrants to "self-deport" to their home countries within two years of the law's enactment and apply for a new kind of visa that would allow them to return to the United States quickly and work legally if a job awaits them. They would have to work here for 17 years, however, to be eligible for U.S. citizenship.

The plan, which has received mixed reviews from those briefed on it, is aimed at unifying Republicans on an issue that has bitterly divided them for months and threatens to damage the party in future elections.

The stringent rules for illegal immigrants are certain to draw bipartisan opposition from those who favor a quicker and easier path to citizenship. Additionally, conservatives who favor legislation to secure the border this year and delay action on guest workers and the citizenship question are also expected to oppose it.

The Washington Post was provided an advance copy of the proposal.

Hutchison and Pence consider it the foundation for a possible compromise between the Senate, which voted for a plan that would provide a new path to citizenship, and the House, which has demanded that Congress focus only on securing borders for now. Former House majority leader Richard K. Armey (R-Tex.), a critic of the Senate bill, said the new proposal could be "a bridge between the two bodies."

Armey, former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie were briefed on the plan in hopes that they would help build pressure on skeptical lawmakers, the aides said. White House officials, including presidential adviser Karl Rove, have been told of the framework but not the details. A Republican close to the White House said President Bush "won't be crazy about it, but I think he would sign it."

The impasse will not be easy to break. The push for a pre-election compromise has lost its sense of urgency, as both sides privately calculate that no deal might be the best politics and produce the best policy.

Hutchison and Pence think they can bridge the divide. They will emphasize that immigration laws will not be changed until the president certifies that the borders are secure, the congressional aides said. The plan includes the most popular security measures that have passed the House and Senate, including new border fences, additional enforcement personnel and bigger detention facilities.

The government would spend about two years instituting the security changes. U.S. companies would open Ellis Island-type centers in many countries to process applications for a new kind of work visa, known as the Good Neighbor SAFE (Secure Authorized Foreign Employee) visa. The government would create tamper-proof identification cards that contain personal information and biometric technology designed to minimize fraud. Illegal immigrants would be required to return to their home countries and apply for the SAFE visa. They would undergo criminal background checks and health screenings and would need to prove that a U.S. job awaits them.

The new visa would be offered only to immigrants from countries that are part of trade pacts covering Canada, Mexico and most of Central America. The SAFE visas would be good for two years and could be renewed five times, for a total stay of 12 years. At any point, the holders could return to their home countries and apply for U.S. citizenship without paying a fine or back taxes. But they would have to wait in line.

Illegal immigrants could extend their stay beyond 12 years by applying for a five-year X-Change visa, which requires a job and a clean record. After 17 years in the system, X-Change visa-holders could go through the citizenship process without leaving the United States.

The proposal -- sponsored by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Tex.) and Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.) -- would pressure illegal immigrants to "self-deport" to their home countries within two years of the law's enactment and apply for a new kind of visa that would allow them to return to the United States quickly and work legally if a job awaits them.

Pressure them? How?

And if they don't "self-deport"? What are we going to do about it?

As far as the "sufficently secured borders", Bush will certify that right after he signs this bill.

Trust me, they will not self deport. What guarantee would they have of returning and why would those seeking legalization wait for 17 years? Also, such a plan accomplishes nothing number wise, because a majority of them will be able to return. They big difference being, they will be here legally, which will afford them the opportunity to draw on social aid and federal benefits (medical, food stamps, financial aid for college, WIC, etc.). Furthermore, the resulting "anchor babies" from such a plan would be very large!

"the devils in the details"

A Republican close to the White House said President Bush "won't be crazy about it, but I think he would sign it."

He'll LOVE IT! It will make his day, his week..........HIS PRESIDENCY

http://www.cfiflistmanager.org/amnestyscam1be.html

The U.S. Senate is trying to scam the American people -- you and me -- AGAIN!

Right now -- under the cover of darkness -- the Senate is moving forward -- full steam ahead -- with plans to allow as many as 66 million aliens into the United States.

Remember several months ago when the Senate voted 83-16 to authorize the building of a 370-mile fence along the Mexican border?

What you probably didn't know is that days ago -- when they thought you weren't looking -- the Senate voted AGAINST an amendment by Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to actually FUND that fence . The vote was 71-29.

Minutes later, the Senate voted down another Sessions' amendment (66-34) that would have allocated necessary funds to the Department of Homeland Security to hire 800 full-time employees to investigate immigration fraud.

So what do these votes mean?

Simply put... No money... no fence and no real border enforcement.

Simply put, your suspicions were correct all along -- "comprehensive immigration reform," as the Senate calls it, continues to be nothing more than a code phrase for "granting amnesty to millions of illegal aliens!"

It's often difficult to fathom the monumental arrogance and outright deceit of the U.S. Senate.

Our Senators know what the American people want, what they have demanded -- secure borders.

Our Senators know this is a vital issue for millions of Americans -- people like you and your family who they are supposed to represent.

These Senators have read the polls. They've heard from their constituents back home.

BUT NOW THEY THINK YOU AREN'T WATCHING! THEY THINK YOU HAVE GIVEN UP THE FIGHT!

Now is the time to show them once again that you mean business -- that you demand secure borders and NO Amnesty for ILLEGALS!



Use the hyperlink below to send your urgent and personalized 30 Blast Fax messages to President George W. Bush and the leadership of the House and Senate.

Tell them in no uncertain terms just how outraged -- how disgusted you are at their amnesty shenanigans.

Tell them you haven't forgotten what happened in 1986, when Congress gave three million illegal aliens amnesty and citizenship on the promise that our borders would be secured.

Tell them not to dare try that scam again -- EVER! No Amnesty! Seal our borders NOW!