NYT: Bipartisan Effort to Draft Immigration Bill

[DeepModem Mom]

Bipartisan Effort to Draft Immigration Bill
By RACHEL L. SWARNS
Published: December 26, 2006

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25 — Counting on the support of the new Democratic majority in Congress, Democratic lawmakers and their Republican allies are working on measures that could place millions of illegal immigrants on a more direct path to citizenship than would a bill that the Senate passed in the spring.

The lawmakers are considering abandoning a requirement in the Senate bill that would compel several million illegal immigrants to leave the United States before becoming eligible to apply for citizenship.

The lawmakers are also considering denying financing for 700 miles of fencing along the border with Mexico, a law championed by Republicans that passed with significant Democratic support.

Details of the bill, which would be introduced early next year, are being drafted. The lawmakers, who hope for bipartisan support, will almost certainly face pressure to compromise on the issues from some Republicans and conservative Democrats.

Still, the proposals reflect significant shifts since the November elections, as well as critical support from the Homeland Security Department....

The major lawmakers drafting the legislation include Senators Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, and John McCain, Republican of Arizona, along with Representatives Jeff Flake, Republican of Arizona, and Luis V. Gutierrez, Democrat of Illinois....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/26/washington/26immig.html?hp&ex=1167195600&en=852240d3f06e6cdf&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Leilani]

1. If McCain supports this new bill,

it will be the end of his presidential aspirations.

The Republicans do not trust him, & this would end his chances at the nomination.

[keopeli]

2. Don't forget that American voters, esp. Repubs, are often fickle. n/t

[customerserviceguy]

5. They are

but they have no clear uber-right wing candidate, chances are all of the virtual unknowns on that side of the party are going to divide perhaps fifty or sixty percent of the far right wing vote in the Republican primaries. To me, it looks like Giuliani or McCain are the eventual nominee, we will see the far right wing either stay home, or vote for fringy third parties.

I really see this coming election as the chance for a definite Democratic victory. The big question, will it be President Clinton, or President Obama? I just don't give anyone else a fighting chance, frankly.

[w4rma]

3. This progressive Democrat strongly opposes this bill because it further hurts wages and salaries.

The business lobby is pushing this bill particularly to increase the caps on skilled guest workers.

In fact, more than 75% of Americans oppose the vast majority of the aspects of this bill. Anybody pushing this or voting for it will get hammered for their support for the rest of their careers.

Anyone with Presidential aspirations will have to oppose this bill, not just distance themselves from it.

[necso]

4. ?

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

6. I would be happy with a way to shorten

the time it takes for legal immigrants to obtain a green card. It took me 14 years and then only because I married a US citizen. There are thousands of people who are legally awaiting their turn, only to find that it takes years, if not decades. These people are US residents who pay taxes, or adult children of USCs or permanent residents, or spouses of citizens who married abroad, or countless others who are mired in the everyday mess of legal immigration.

[Doctor_J]

7. I have noticed that Dems have a "bipartisan" relationaship with the GOP

in much the same way that Tobias Beecher had a bipartisan relationship with Vern Schillinger during the first season of Oz.

[High Plains]

8. Good. I'm for a comprehensive immigration bill.

These immigrant workers are a part of our economy. They need to be normalized and legalized so they can protect their labor rights and strengthen the labor movement.