[Vision2020] Senate Panel Approves Immigration Reforms

Tue Mar 28 12:43:18 PST 2006

What I particularly appreciate it is that, unlike recent events in France, 
the demonstrations did not produce fires, killings, destruction, etc.  
Things seemingly are being resolved with a "win-win" for everyone.

Yes, Thank you Lord!

J  :]

>From: "keely emerinemix" <kjajmix1 at msn.com>
>To: thansen at moscow.com, vision2020 at moscow.com
>Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Senate Panel Approves Immigration Reforms
>Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2006 07:56:50 -0800
>
>
>Thank you, Lord, and thank you, Tom --
>
>keely
>
>From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
>To: "Moscow Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Subject: [Vision2020] Senate Panel Approves Immigration Reforms
>Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2006 07:17:53 -0800
>
> >From today's (March 28, 2006) Spokesman Review -
>
>It appears that the US Senate is showing signs of a conscience.
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Senate panel approves immigration reforms
>Bill makes getting citizenship easier
>
>David Espo
>Associated Press
>March 28, 2006
>
>WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee approved sweeping election-year
>legislation Monday that clears the way for 11 million illegal aliens to 
>seek
>U.S. citizenship, a victory for demonstrators who had spilled into the
>streets by the hundreds of thousands demanding better treatment for
>immigrants.
>
>With a bipartisan coalition in control, the committee also voted down
>proposed criminal penalties on immigrants found to be in the country
>illegally. It approved a new temporary program allowing entry for 1.5
>million workers seeking jobs in the agriculture industry.
>
>"All Americans wanted fairness and they got it this evening," said Sen.
>Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who played a pivotal role in drafting the
>legislation.
>
>There was no immediate reaction from the White House, and Sen. Lindsey
>Graham, R-S.C., said he hoped President Bush would participate in efforts 
>to
>fashion consensus legislation. "The only thing that's off the table is
>inaction," said Graham, who voted for the committee bill.
>
>The 12-6 vote broke down along unusual lines, with a majority of the 
>panel's
>Republicans opposed to the measure even though their party controls the
>Senate.
>
>Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., seeking re-election this fall, said the bill offered
>amnesty to illegal immigrants and sought unsuccessfully to insert tougher
>provisions. He told fellow committee members that the economy would turn
>sour someday and Americans workers would want the jobs that now go to
>illegal immigrants.
>
>Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, of Pennsylvania, was one of four
>Republicans to support the bill, but he signaled strongly that some of the
>more controversial provisions could be changed when the measure reaches the
>Senate floor. That is "very frequently" the case when efforts to reach a
>broad bipartisan compromise falter, he noted.
>
>In general, the bill is designed to strengthen enforcement of U.S. borders,
>regulate the flow into the country of so-called guest workers and determine
>the legal future of the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the 
>United
>States illegally.
>
>The bill would double the Border Patrol and authorizes a "virtual wall" of
>unmanned vehicles, cameras and censors to monitor the U.S.-Mexico border.
>
>It also allows more visas for nurses and agriculture workers, and shelters
>humanitarian organizations from prosecution if they provide non-emergency
>assistance to illegal residents.
>
>The most controversial provision would permit illegal aliens currently in
>the country to apply for citizenship without first having to return home, a
>process that would take at least six years. They would have to pay a fine,
>learn English, study American civics, demonstrate they had paid their taxes
>and take their place behind other applicants for citizenship, according to
>aides to Kennedy.
>
>Arizona GOP Sen. John McCain, a potential presidential contender who worked
>with Kennedy on the issue, told reporters the street demonstrations had 
>made
>an impact. "All those people who were demonstrating are not here illegally.
>They are the children and grandchildren" of those who may have been, he
>said.
>
>The committee met as several thousand demonstrators rallied at the foot of
>the Capitol. Many were members of the clergy who donned handcuffs and sang
>"We Shall Overcome," the unofficial anthem of the civil rights era.
>
>After a weekend of enormous rallies - a crowd of as many as 500,000
>demonstrators in Los Angeles - thousands of students walked out of class in
>California and Texas to protest proposals to crack down on illegal
>immigrants.
>
>"Do you see the community? Do you see how many people didn't go to work
>today?" asked Janet Padron, attending a rally in Michigan.
>
>Her remark underscored one of the issue's complexities.
>
>Senators on all sides agreed that illegal workers hold thousands of jobs
>that otherwise would go unfilled at the wages offered.
>
>The agriculture industry is "almost entirely dependent on undocumented
>workers," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.
>
>In purely political terms, the issue threatened to fracture Republicans as
>they head into the midterm election campaign - one group eager to make 
>labor
>readily available for low-wage jobs in industries such as agriculture,
>construction and meatpacking, the other determined to place a higher
>emphasis on law enforcement.
>
>That was a split Bush was hoping to avoid after a political career spent
>building support for himself and his party from the fast-growing Hispanic
>population.
>
>"America should not have to choose between being a welcoming society and
>being a lawful society," Bush said at a naturalization ceremony for new
>citizens. "We can be both at the same time."
>
>Bush has said he favors a guest worker program, but it is unclear whether
>the administration would insist on a provision to require illegal 
>immigrants
>already in the country to return home before they are allowed to apply for
>citizenship.
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Seeya round town, Moscow.
>
>Tom Hansen
>Moscow, Idaho
>
>
>********************************************
>
>"In America, anybody can become president.
>That's one of the risks you take . . ."
>
>- Adlai Stevenson
>
>********************************************
>
>
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