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Politics
Immigration deal backers offer tougher visa rules
GOP lawmakers hope the new measures will convince party holdouts.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 23, 2007
WASHINGTON - New requirements to track down, deport and permanently bar people who overstay their visas would be added to a broad immigration bill under a GOP bid to attract more Republican support. The amendment, which also would prevent illegal immigrants from gaining lawful status until they pass a background check, is one of those the Senate will consider next week when it returns its attention to the immigration measure. The bill is likely to see a final vote by month's end. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., architect of a deal to legalize as many as 12-million unlawful immigrants, said Friday that the amendment "will help substantially" in persuading his GOP colleagues to support the compromise. He is sponsoring the proposal with GOP Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Mel Martinez of Florida. The legislation has sparked outrage among conservatives who contend it gives amnesty to lawbreakers, and has been met with deep suspicion by Republicans who say their constituents have no faith in laws cracking down on illegal immigrants. To assuage the concerns, Democrats and Republicans already have added $4.4-billion in mandatory spending to the bill to be used for border enforcement efforts and weeding out illegal workers from U.S. workplaces. Senate leaders plan to revive the stalled immigration measure on Tuesday, with a test vote and consideration of a limited list of amendments designed to win enough converts to carry it to passage by the end of the week. They're facing an uphill battle, though, given that many GOP waverers targeted as potential supporters are saying they won't back resurrecting the measure. Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison and Georgia Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson have all said they would oppose the effort.
[Last modified June 23, 2007, 00:19:01]
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by Joe
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06/23/07 09:18 PM
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I still don't understand why my wife & I spent over $5,000 for her legal green card so she could contribute to this country and everyone else wants in for free......explian the logic behind that
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by leo
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06/23/07 05:32 PM
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I am confident and hoping that this bill makes it to the president and become a law that will really address the root of the problem which is economic; both sides will benefit from such real deal as well .
as far as people who opposes justice for all
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by MIM
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06/23/07 11:28 AM
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Promises, promises! Show me the promised and approved wall first, then go ahead one sure step at a time.
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by Deborah
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06/23/07 08:21 AM
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Our elected officials can't or won't SECURE OUR BOARDERS. I am not a racist I am an American that has and does support legal immigration. Our elected officials are employed by big business and they are destroying America's middle class. Get involved
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by JD
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06/23/07 06:27 AM
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That wig-wearing, sad excuse for a senator Mel Martinez can kiss his job goodbye. He is as good as gone for his support of this pathetic bill. All of these so-called tough amendments will be removed in conference; they are just lies to get it passed.
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