by Mark Silva
Near the climax of an epic fight over healthcare reform in which the two parties are embedded deeper than ever -- and the president's own party at odds within on some issues -- and at the threshhold of midterm congressional elections testing the ruling party's ability to keep the reins, the prospect of renewing the debate on immigration reform seems questionable at best.
The two champions of bipartisan immigration reform past are either gone or waylaid: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts has passed away, and Sen. John McCain of Arizona faces a fight for his own seat in a Republican Party primary back home that is likely to leave little room for political heroics in the cause of finding a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.
So it is one of McCain's best friends in the Senate, Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and one of the Democrats who could become his party's leader if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid falls victim to the electoral turmoil out there this fall, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, who are meeting with the Obama White House on opening a new debate over immigration reform.
And President Barack Obama, stung by the partisan divide of the healthcare debate, is courting at least the appearance of bipartisanship here
The two senators presented the president with a bipartisan blueprint, albeit a three-page outline, of how to proceed through a loaded political minefield -- read more about that immigration reform blueprint in Tribune newspapers today, and see the highlights below.
Last night, the president also met with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to discuss "a variety of critical issues confronting Hispanics and all Americans, in particular the need to act now to pass healthcare reform,'' according to the press secretary.
"The president thanked the members for their hard work over the past year, and acknowledged the progress that has been made on the economy while also expressing his concern for long-term unemployment,'' the White House said. "The president also updated the Caucus members on his meetings earlier in the day with grassroots activists and Senators Schumer and Graham on immigration reform, and reiterated his strong commitment to fixing the broken immigration system. ''
Obama was joined at the meeting by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs Phil Schiliro, and White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Muñoz.
Earlier in the day, Obama had met with Schumer and Graham.
As the Washington Bureau's Peter Nicholas reports this morning, Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), had a 45-minute meeting Thursday in the Oval Office, and asked for Obama's help in rounding up enough Republican votes to pass an immigration bill this year.
"Although details of their blueprint were not released, Graham said the elements included tougher border security, a program to admit temporary immigrant workers and a biometric Social Security card that would prevent people here illegally from getting jobs. Graham also said the proposal included "a rational plan to deal with the millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States." He did not elaborate on what the plan would be. But in a recent interview, he suggested that onerous measures were unrealistic.
"We're not going to mass-deport people and put them in jail, nor should we," Graham said. "But we need a system so they don't get an advantage over others for citizenship."





Comments
We have the money to bailout Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, we also have money to bailout the banks, and most of Wall Street and lets not forget the Auto Industry. So why can't Washington find the money to deport all the Illegals?. Now there's a job creator.
Posted by: Paul | March 12, 2010 8:35 AM
WTF? First they want to ram healthcare "reform" (that the vast majority of Americans don't even want) up our buts, and then they want to make illegal aliens legal, so we can pay for their healthcare too?!?!?!
I am sick and tired of the this BS, and I'm not going to take it anymore. There's going to come a time when Americans rise up and reclaim our country from this insanity.
Illegal aliens need to go home, or be deported home, so they can lobby their home governments for jobs, education, housing, and food provisions like they get here, at the American taxpayer's expense!
Posted by: joe | March 12, 2010 9:05 AM
No citizenship for illegals! They have broken the law and should be rounded up and sent back whence they came. I know the bleedfing heart liberals will want to embrace these new "Americans", so they can vote for them but first we must give them free healthcare so they will be forever gratefule to the Democratic party. Sounds like a plan made in hell!
Posted by: roundlaketom | March 12, 2010 9:07 AM
Why would liberal states even consider any rational immigration reform?
Liberals use illegals as pawns to get elected by throwing entitlements at them and looking the other way when companies hire them and pay them under the table. As a big thanks for that they vote liberal.
What Obama and Pelosi call "immigration reform" is a slap on the hand of illegals, then amnesty.
Unemployment is at 10-15% and we have illegals in this country working our jobs????
Any liberal "reform" wouldn't change that^^^
People want immigration reform?
How about cutting all entitlements to illegals, getting rid of the so called "sanctuary" policies and fining businesses who who hire illegals to to the tune of $25,000 per illegal they hired. How about deporting every and any illegal who is arrested and charged and found guilty with a crime?
If you make jobs impossible to get for illegals, cut off the government entitlements and deport the illegal criminals, they will deport them selves.
If thats done then maybe they will try immigrating to the US the right and appropriate way, by waiting in line like the rest of the humble immigrants who respect our immigration laws.
Posted by: Nick29 | March 12, 2010 9:10 AM
Don't forget to publish the results in spanish. Americans who ONLY speak English cannot get jobs because bilingual and spanish speakers are needed everywhere. We have lost what our country used to be. For many of us, the new America is pretty pitiful.
Posted by: chigirl | March 12, 2010 9:13 AM
Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), We're not going to mass-deport people and put them in jail, nor should we," Graham said. "But we need a system so they don't get an advantage over others for citizenship." Advantage? Felons are given an advantage over others who follow the legal process already in place!
Posted by: ice | March 12, 2010 9:15 AM
Unless the middleclass is shored up with a stable economy, jobs, housing and national security, there will be a huge backlash against anyone supporting amnesty.
Posted by: suburbs | March 12, 2010 9:16 AM
Too bad immigration reform is not the priority - that alone would reduce our health care costs substantially. They are taking over the emergency rooms and schools!
Posted by: nancy | March 12, 2010 9:28 AM
It is simple, hire an illegal and you go to jail. No illegals in public schools, ER visit - get patched up and deported, car accident - deported, commit a crime- deported.
No work, no public support, no illegal problem.
Posted by: Hans | March 12, 2010 9:33 AM
WE DO NOT NEED IMMIGRATION REFORM. WE NEED IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. Why are these felons entitled to amnesty. Murderers, rapists and other criminals do not get or deserve reform, but incareration. These individuals broke the law. The engaged in felonious actions, and the only right they have is a free ride home. WHen we have gatherings as they had with s many illegals in one place, this is a perfect time for the authorities to round up and deport them.
Posted by: Rob | March 12, 2010 9:34 AM
If he thinks the groundswell of opposition to hell care is bad, wait until he sees how many people oppose amnesty.
Seriously, about 60% of the public thinks they should trash the current HC bill and start over, 78% of US citizens think that amnesty would be bad for our economy.
After all, it's the economy, stupid.
Posted by: independent thinker | March 12, 2010 9:48 AM
Deportation is nothing new. Truman, Eisenhower and Roosevelt used it successfully decades ago, under similiar circumstances. Why bother with laws if we are going to look the other way?
Posted by: gposner | March 12, 2010 9:55 AM
We want and need LEGAL IMMIGRATION ONLY! Trying to ram through this bill which 80% of the country is against is wrong and wrongheaded.
The people we want to come here have waited in line and played by the rules why should bankrupt our country for those who care nothing about it nor our culture. These illegals are selfish and the politicians who play to them are scum-Durbin, Gutierrez especially.
Posted by: Florida Jim | March 12, 2010 10:04 AM
Where are all the comments?
Posted by: Anne | March 12, 2010 10:05 AM
"We're not going to mass-deport people and put them in jail, nor should we. But we need a system so they don't get an advantage over others for citizenship."
- Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)
White Cloud speak truth. Now you know how we felt.
Posted by: Native American | March 12, 2010 10:07 AM
The "immigration" reform measure proposed by Schumer and Graham is to make US citizens get a mandatory worker ID card. It has nothing for illegal immigrants; all it's enforcement mechanisms impose requirements upon US citizens and other legal residents.
It is a statutory implementation of the failed attempt by DHS to make every employer in the country demand citizenship papers from every employEE in the country. DHS could only manage to mandate this for federal workers and contractors.
"Dein dokumenten, mein Herr?!"
Awaiting our Krystalnacht...
Posted by: rwilymz | March 12, 2010 10:19 AM
Wasn't this a MAJOR issue for W. Bush when he was campaigining for re-election? The republicans PROMISED immigration reform!!!! Looks like the democratic party has to pick up after the republicans again. Just like the are doing with healcare reform. Why is it that the Democrats are the only party that has the courage to tackle an tough political issues?
Posted by: mb | March 12, 2010 10:27 AM
It is now, and has been for quite awhile, to review the concept of immegration. The continuing crisis in employment demands that this country seriously consider suspending immigration for a reasonable ten year period in order to bend every effort in re-employing it's own citizenry. That goes for high skill jobs through entry level positions throughout this economy. Employers should be willing to support the training and retraining of the existing pool of able workers without the quick and, many times, less expensive, importation of foreign labor.
Posted by: CRoth | March 12, 2010 10:29 AM
Of course, let's not forget the millions of illegal Europeans who invaded America's borders the past 400 years and were responsible for the genocide of millions of Native Americans.
Hypocrites.
Posted by: Larry Viel | March 12, 2010 10:56 AM
wow, what a bunch of idiotic comments here. people clearly have no idea who is "legal" and "illegal" ... blame all our problems on something you know nothing about. i doubt anyone here even KNOWS a single illegal alien.
Posted by: eje | March 12, 2010 10:56 AM
There are laws on the books and they need to be enforced. If these people want to become citizens, there is a process to do that. Go home and then apply, take your babies with you even though they might be citizens. We do not need more people on the welfare system taking benefits away from American citizens who do not proclaim an affiliation with another country. But if you want to be an American be an American and speak English which is our language and the one you will speak while here. No whining about it or special privileges which cost us, taxpayers more money.
Posted by: Jo | March 12, 2010 11:00 AM
NO NEED FOR A "FOCUS LIKE A LASER" ON JOBS, HEALTH CARE'S GOING SO WELL, LET'S TOSS IMMIGRATION IN, TOO!!!!
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | March 12, 2010 11:01 AM
Yet another assault on civil liberties, this time in the spirit of "bipartisanship" after the messy health care vote next week. It appears a national ID card is a virtually certain outcome. I thought Democrats were supposed to protect civil liberties, not trample on them?
Posted by: KPO'M | March 12, 2010 11:10 AM
We don't need immigration reform. That just means amnesty for millions of illegals. Enforce the good laws that we have! DEPORT THE ILLEGALS!!!
Posted by: BDD | March 12, 2010 11:36 AM
Posted by: KPO'M | March 12, 2010 11:10 AM
Libs for civil liberties, are you kidding? They are doing everything from bribery to outing gays to control life or death decisions over every American.
As for a national ID, if it is only used to prove citizenship when applying for a job, fine. But the government being inept, ineffecient and the libs always knowing better how people should live their lives, there will be all sorts of situations where the card will be required. Repubs can't be trusted either because they will just claim some law and order reason to stop people and check their papers.
Start making life miserable for illegals, not US citizens.
Posted by: Hans | March 12, 2010 11:44 AM
I am guessing if amnesty goes through, those of us who did it the LEGAL way will be reimbursed the thousands we spent? Actually, we worked our behinds off for the money for my husband to become a citizen and I wouldn't have any other way. It is a privilege, NOT A RIGHT to be a U.S. citizen.My husband was only allowed entry because he possessed a skill needed. This new group of illegal aliens, not immigrants, feel they are entitled to be here and take advantage of the system and its people.They ruin our school systems and expect us to educate there non-English speaking kids at the cost of American children. They flood our ER's, find an illegal way to collect benefits. etc. No self respect, no education. Nothing like allowing a bunch of undereducated, ill mannered criminals in to make this country all the better. This is positively disgraceful.
As for all of you spouting nonsense about European invaders, get a life. That happened over 400 years ago. Time to move on. This group of illegals are different than any other wave of illegals because they are living off the system at a cost to the American people. Social programs were not introduced until the 20th century. Immigrants of yesterday actually had to find their own way.
Posted by: TAC1234 | March 12, 2010 11:46 AM
~Unemployement at 10%.
~Social services budgets bankrupt.
~Schools can't afford to operate.
~Gang crime up.
...and Obama wants to fight another legacy battle whereby illegal aliens are embraced and more guest workers are invited?
Say it ain't so!
And to top it off, the plan includes a national ID card!
What are they smoking in DC?
Posted by: Another Voice | March 12, 2010 11:48 AM
The Democrats will never pass real immigration reform and we all know why. Just like the Democrats will never pass real tort reform because the trial attorneys own them.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | March 12, 2010 11:54 AM
Ringmaster-in-Chief
Obama obviously believes, as Barnum did, that "there's a sucker born every minute," and he thinks that selling his entire socialist plan for America completely depends on it. Obama's radical circus has been traveling around this great land for over a year now, with the ringmaster-in-chief telling everyone that his economic plans are working to perfection, even though the facts tell a completely different story. But the president knows that he has to convince enough suckers that his plans are actually working in order to continue his socialist agenda -- so the radical circus travels on.
Obama also employs the same strategy as P. T. Barnum when it comes to selling his hoax: Make outrageous claims about your product, never stay in one place too long, and always keep the circus moving. This strategy worked well for Barnum, because while the attraction to see the bizarre and unbelievable lured many people in, they were never given a chance to see it clearly or long enough to verify its authenticity. And if people ever realized that they had been taken, by the time they came back to voice their complaint, the circus would be gone.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/03/ringmasterinchief.html
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | March 12, 2010 11:56 AM
First our ancestors were robbed and the intial illegals made themselves legal and implemented laws to suit themselves. This land was then transformed to the land of many nations and anyone else residing here should consider it theirs. I am for immigration reform and legalizing all immigrants. It is no time to be selfish now and these immigrants have and will pay their dues just like everyone else. Time to move forward AMERICA... this what makes this country great!!!
Posted by: Dan Toronto | March 12, 2010 12:13 PM
Proposed immigration reforms are little more than a repeat of the 1986 Reagan amnesty, and all leave the root causes of poverty, injustice and crime in Mexico untouched. Instead, why not try my 7-step nonpartisan Megamerge Dissolution Solution of inviting the people of Mexico to join the U.S. as 10+ new states? Study it and tell your reps at http://go.to/megamerge
Posted by: TL Winslow | March 12, 2010 12:26 PM
Hey Dan Tonto, just as there were winners and losers when tribes and nations fought over territory, so too when a more technologically advanced people arrived.
That is hardly an argument to import unsustainable numbers of third world illiterates that have ignored and in some cases thwarted the rule of law in their own countries and are doing the same here.
Americans are the most generous people in the world and have demonstrated a model of governance that has created the largest economy on earth. That does not mean we have any obligation to support a group of illegals that have no respect for our laws and are here simply to sponge off of an economy they are unwilling to demand in their home countries.
What has made this country great is the opportunities our system of government has created. What will weaken this country is the entitlement mentality of those promoting and exploiting the flaunting of our laws.
Posted by: Hans | March 12, 2010 12:43 PM
Immigration reform? Well, that is just the next trick to try and increase revenues as far as I'm concerned. Why else would both parties bring this to the table right NOW?
For the record, illegals should be kicked out. It screws with our economy way too much. Same for the kids, grandkids, etc. of aliens. Let the world's richest man take care of his own.
Posted by: Xcellentform | March 12, 2010 1:56 PM
there is no food on your tables if there is no illegal immigrants... why the price of food spikes high ?? .. there is no cheap labor on the farms... 'coz you busted all of those illegals workers.. i don't think they (illegals) want to become US Citizen... they just need a job !! .. allow to work on farms, meat process, hotels. And we save a lots of money by embracing the bill. If they allow to work, they have to pay the income taxes... we can use the money to support our government benefits program !!! imagine 12 millions illegals *which is not true*... maybe half of it... paying taxes ??? ..how many billions dollars got into the government pockets to support school.. hospitals.. fix roads...electricity... a lots more.. !!! think positive ++++++ !!!
Posted by: Richard Moss | March 12, 2010 3:31 PM
Wow, all these people who are attacking "illegal", wow. Before yall speak i think yall should use the public education system, which some of yall claim should only be for Americans, because all of yall sound very uneducated. First, TAC1234, if the reform passes illegals would still have to pay a fine for coming illegaly(i believe its $1000) they have to take a criminal background check, medical exam, and get their fingerprints done at their own expenses. So there, they will be paying the thousands of dollars legal immigrants paid as well.
Another thing, people whinning about illegals getting benefits at the expences of "American" tax payer. That might be true, but not to the extreme that these "so called Americans" are making it seemed. For your info, alot of illegals pay taxes as well, and they cannot claim them. Those whose petition has been approved are given an IRS pin number so they report taxes, but remain illegal. If the reform passes, all who were illegal would have to pay taxes regardless, so stop whinning America.
Now, cheap labor. You people actually believe they want to get paid that low? Their employers know they are illegal and find a perfect chance to pay below minimum to workers, and they cant do nothing about it because they are illegal. Thats why they get hired quicker than Americans, if reform passes, those who were illegal can finally fight to get the income they deserve.
Finally, I really pity all those who actually believe that ALL ILLEGALS are actually criminals. Yea you have gangbangers here and there, and the same with murderers, rapist, burglars ect. But that does not mean that all are the same, (im not going to back to school and believe that all Americans are racist just because of all the comments i read here) there are still a lot more of them who came here at a chance at the American Dream.
I am for reform as well, let the hard working people come and help the economy out (70% of American economy rely on us spending money, so if 2 million are sent back to their country of origin, the economy wont get fixed right away). However, i do agree with yall that the real criminals get deported.
Thomas Jefferson once said, "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Never in my life did i believe that his son's and daughter's would deny those rights to a group of people, who are human. Nor that they would label them criminals for the "pursuit of Happiness".
I sicks me to see that these people actually call themselves American.
Maybe of a new America, the one they live in, they turned it to the "land of the free" to the "Land of the apathetic", for they only tend to think of themselves.
Oh and one more thing. The U.S does not have a official language, so to say that they need to learn english is just absurd. People can talk any language they want in this land, english would just make things easier because its the most used language here, that does not, however, need to be a requierement to be here.
Posted by: Heavymetalgamer | March 12, 2010 3:36 PM
To all Ignorant Americans you say "they are taking our jobs" NEWSFLASH obviously an American Citizen would not clean up after other people-clean toilets-clean houses-construction-with a low pay. Even though they are decent jobs and FYI some Illegals do PAY TAXES seriously people do your research. If you wanted to deport them all you don’t need to round them in one of their meeting the IRS know exactly where each individual lives for those who REPORT TAXES. The economy is bad no doubt about it if the Reform was to pass every individual would pay a fine depending on the amount. Just think about it lets say $1000 for each person that adds up with Mexican family in one family there is more than 3 individuals. If you see someone at a corner or a street being an American Citizen they are asking for money on the other hand a Hispanic is asking for a JOB. Another FIY not all Illegals are Mexicans. Don’t complain about jobs taking bilingual people do something about it LEARN Spanish, YES English is the main language but if it a job requires you to learn Urdu, Chinese, or Portuguese whatever language learn it its not going to hurt you
Posted by: Proud Mexican/American | March 12, 2010 4:10 PM
Well, first off, let's see who are the real aliens and illegal immigrants are? The founding fathers and the first Europeans were all immigrants who were, correct me if i'm wrong, all illegals also! they took over the Native Americans who were here first and killed many and now the true citizens of this north american country have hard time living in their OWN true country! Second, it's more profitable to keep the illegals here and give them an opportunity to pay of their debts here than just kick them out without letting them pay their dues and also the "SHIPPING FEES" (:oLOL) for them to get deported back to their countries is way more costly than keeping them here! I promise you that if you know any illegal immigrants who are in this country already you would undrstand that they would probably do anyting to stay here! Why don't we charge or fine them $1-2000 each and make our moneys off of them? Why not increase their taxes and make more money off of the illegals through tax? Why not give them the working permision and time limits for upto 5 years and they have to leave on their own and if not we know where they live and what they even look like after they get all the documents and fingerprints everything! what's wrong with that? And imagine 11 millions people paying for all the services and the cards $10 each at least will give us find more opportunities! wake up people! this country was found on the Immigrants from all over the world! If the Native Americans were strong enough to kick your ancestors out then your sorry A$$es wouldn't be here today! God Bless!
Posted by: Paul Richards | March 12, 2010 4:27 PM
35,000,000 illegals
50,000,000 legals
15,000,000 P/Ricans (citizens)
----------------------------------------
Nearly 1,000,000 gang members.
Over $1,000,000,000,000 per year in free benefts such as SSI, Food Stamp, WIC/AFDC--name it.
Teddy Kennedy
Reagan
Clintons
Bushes
Rove
Obama
Pelosi
McCain
Schumer
Graham
RCC
ACLU
Carlos Slim--many others are working for a velvet revolution; the financial rewards for them are incalculable.
Posted by: Walkie Wawtmire | March 12, 2010 6:18 PM
In these economic times, Obama should start a amnesty so the US gets money and at the same time undocumented immigrants get their citizenship.
Posted by: Suburbs | March 12, 2010 9:24 PM
Very interesting and hateful remarks, without mentioning the word hate. I read and I see that people are complaining about illegal immigrants here and how they don't belong in our state because they are living off the system, don't contribute to the economy, are criminals and rapist? Really America, who are you kidding? let's see I personally know alot of immigrants who are working and paying taxes, yet they cannot file, or get unemployment, 2nd I know many Americans who refuse to work for minimum wage and refuse to take anything but $10 and and up even with no experience, 3rd the last time I saw anyone begging for money instead of looking for work, definately was not an illegal immigrant and yes have you really looked around, where would the economy be by now without all the immigrants working any and all jobs whatever the pay is just to work. Illegal immigrants work hard and there is alot of them who are very educated and have had an education in their country. They may not speak english but that does not mean that they are not educated, some even hold degrees yet they are not valid here, again that does not mean they are not willing to learn the language. We all eat their food, we all love them slaving over our lush gardens , we love them babysitting our kids and cleaning our houses...yes something that so call american workers will not do and deem this positions as beneath them????? yet you say lets deport all the illegal immigrants..why the attack on Mexicans...include all races who are illegal..just because they are next door gives us any rights to shun them..they come here to work and not live off the system as you some people say, really, check out the system..alot of them that are lazy and really living off the system are not illegal immigrants...be fair, their are a large number of americans living off welfare, afro americans, a number of asians and yes some mexican americans..not all are illigal immigrants..lets be fair here, illegal immigrants contribute alot here..they shop, food, clothes, pay taxes, pay rent, gas etc....all they want is a fair chance to work and at least have a drivers license, ss number so that they can work and help out their families in need..is this not what we do and already have, why is their not enough room for all, mexicans, asians, afro americans, americans and the list goes on...think about it before you speak....if we deport all illegals from this state...think about it...your pool,landscape, bathrooms, grounds, babysitting, house cleaning would be gone and yes you can say asta la vista to tacos and your burritos and your favorite, mexican plate, chinese plate as well as everything else....we contribute, you just too busy concentrating on getting us out instead of thinking of a solution..why are we in the Hitler thinking pattern here....of illiminating us from being here, we work just as hard and we just want fairness and lest hatred and racist remarks...Lets make America great by embarking on a new plan co existing and helping each other grow and making this a better America....have we forgotten the Constitution...freedom for all and not just for Americans.....Be realistic.
Posted by: S.Lopez | March 13, 2010 2:56 AM
Carlos Slim likes the world just the way it is. With him as the richest individual.
Have you ever made a phone call to Mexico without a special "plan"? About $5 per minute to Carlos.
Anyhoo, the only way US could "deport" all the "illegals" is to set up a registration system as Hitler did in 1933, try to document everyone's "ancestry", create a database for mass deportations.
Granted that could be done more easily now with that system Poindexter wanted to data mine everyone.
But you'd then run into the same problem Hitler did:
It wouldn't be "deportation" because that presupposes a country or countries willing to receive the deportees, doesn't it?
It would be some form of the Wannsee Protocol.
Replicans are and always have been the biggest proponents of "illegal immigration".
They see it as a source of "cheap labor" and a counterweight to unionization.
Unions, by the way, generally are the most exclusionary and toughest on "illegal immigrants". Exceptions of course like Hotel & Restaurant Workers Union.
Replicans need "illegals" to work in their sweatshop foundaries, fabricating plants, work at their landscapers on their estates and golf courses, work as domestics and nannies etc.
Not to mention workers in hospitals. Want to see health care expenses really go up even faster than they already are?
Try replacing all the "illegals" with "legals": what we used to call "orderlies", LPNs, etc. etc......
How about all those restaurant workers?
O and don't forget all the "illegals" who have enlisted and are getting their asses shot off in Iraq and Afghanistan......
Posted by: ornery | March 13, 2010 1:47 PM
Learn from the difficulties in passing health care:
Incremental immigration reform:
Reinstate 245i
Reinstate 212c
Make more visa numbers available for Mexico
Restore the former grounds of deportability, so "retail theft" is not put on the same footing as manslaughter.
These measures would reduce the need for "comprehensive" legislation which would end up in the same quagmire as the health bill.
Posted by: ornery | March 13, 2010 2:05 PM
A personal who is considered illegal is no one but a person like YOU who still has not been able to secure the paperwork, that you have been able to secure because of your ancestors. Or becos, that you were born here. An illegal is by no means rapist, killer or a trash. We have enough of them already under the cover of US Citizens.
Even if the govt charges $2000 per applicant, the country will accumulate $240 Billion Dollars in this tough economy. perhaps it will help US citizens who dont want to work and collect unemployment.
Posted by: US tax payer | March 13, 2010 3:49 PM
With the onset of President Obama's push for Amnesty, the opponents are mobilizing to stop this absolutely ridiculous move to legitimize the 20 to 30 million illegal aliens,when 15 million and upwards of citizens and residents are jobless. Anytime that reform rears its ugly head, pro-sovereignty, anti-illegal immigrants organization will get into the fight, even when the economy is sound? But to try and force through this Immigration reform, when millions of American are losing their homes, applying for begrudged unemployment benefit and lining up at food banks. Its just illogical that the Democrats would gather together with a few Republicans to slip through another law to reward illegal immigrants? How can they even dream this up under the circumstances? Most any element of enforcement has always remained underfunded and eyed by politicians who represents corporate welfare to compromise laws.
HOW CAN THEY SAY THAT THE 1986 LAW IS BROKEN, WHEN IT NEVER WAS ENFORCED? Some of the most talented, skillful politicians-ex attorneys authored that bill, including Liberal personage Ted Kennedy? No! Its just a good excuse to arrange another AMNESTY, because previous administrations failed to secure the border or even try? YOU MIGHT ASK THESE RADICAL POLITICIANS--WHY CHANGE THE 1986 IMMIGRATION BILL, WHEN YOU CAN AMEND IT?
Next weekend, 100,000 pro-amnesty supporters are expected to flood Washington to show their support for a blanket amnesty. This is why the Sanctuary State of California needs a governor such as Steve Poizner? He has promised to fight illegal immigration and cut-off benefits to the millions settled in the state as does the majority of the "Tea Party" movement. Its time with thought of our own poor, desperate people, instead of taxes being extorted in support of foreign nationals?
IF YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY AND STOPPING THE ILLEGAL ALIEN INVASION. ONE FLAG--ONE LANGUAGE.
Get ready for one of the biggest battles of any reform packages that the parties throw at us? Those Patriotic Americans and legal immigrants who believe in Americas sovereignty and desire the borders be firmly secure, heavy funding for immigration enforcement and NO BLANKET AMNESTY. No MORE GOVERNMENT ENTITLEMENTS FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS AND FAMILIES. Become a member of NUMBERSUSA.dot.com MANDATE E-VERIFY. Over a million members and growing. Are you ready to fight against OVERPOPULATION and CHAIN MIGRATION? JUST DO NOT LET UP AT CAUSING YOUR POLITICIANS PALPITATIONS AT 202-224-3121. Don't forget to give your state lawmakers an ultimatum; NO RE-ELECTION VOTE.
Posted by: Brittanicus | March 13, 2010 7:20 PM
Why would you reward lawbreakers?
Sadly ironic: The number of abortions per year just about equals the number of illegals.
Posted by: Free to Watch Liberals Meltdown | March 14, 2010 1:50 PM
Let's make it easy let's implement the same immigration laws that the country of Mexico uses against Mexican illegal aliens here in America. And do the same to other nationalities and when they complain just say these are the laws use where you came from. And before you bleeding hearts start babbling go check out the immigration laws that Mexico uses they are not all that kind even to Americans. We should do that same with trade law and watch how fast our unbalanced import export changes. Overseas cars built in America are basically torn down and inspected which adds a great deal to the overall cost per vehicle. Now in Mexico you can not buy any property if you are not a native in most areas and if somehow you do and are found out you go to jail, forfeit the property, and deported. And if you are believed to be a illegal you are locked up and not released until you are deported.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | March 14, 2010 10:28 PM
They took our jobs!!! haha is funny how the only people that are against immigration reform are high school drop outs, hillbillies, and racist who call themselves "patriots". Patriots?? I'm willing to bet that you don't even know the history of this great country. The current immigration laws are seriously outdated and irrelavent to todays problems. We need new laws that are both strict but senstive to peoples current situations. I agree that we must first secure our borders and keep all of the real criminals out like drug smugglers, killers, and so on but to deport people that have grown up here, have lived here for years upon years, and that love this country and to send them somewhere that their children have no future is inhumane. I don't here you complaing when you eat the fruits and vegetables that they slave over to pick for you. But that's the job that you covete so much right??
Posted by: los | March 18, 2010 2:21 PM
The issue on immigration reform has proven to be quite controversial, but lets remember that simply wishing and hoping for all immigrants to be deported is an expectation that will never occur! The only way to subdue this reoccuring problem is to work with the situation americans have at hand. Allowing these illegal immigrants to earn citizanry will develop within them a sense of patriotism. I agree that the process should test them vigorously, and require of them to have a deep understanding on American culture. If these immigrants prove to have understood Americas history and culture than whats for us to say they are not truely Americans! We must stop treating them as animals for than what does that say about our nature; are we so uncivilized that we categorize a group of people as not worthy of living among us? Are we truely that special?
Posted by: steven rogers | March 19, 2010 1:56 PM