http://diaryofarepublicanhater.blogspot.com/2013/04/so-when-is-immigration-going-to-pass.html
they have thought the better of dragging out the current phase any further which from their point of view is likely a good thing as the Democrats would probably have thought about releasing their own bill rather than wait endlessly for a bipartisan deal taking so long to materialize.
In better late than never news, the GOP Senators who support immigration reform are pointing to a study that immigration reform improves the economy.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/04/gop-immigration-reformers-assure-right-they-wont-blow-up-deficit.php?ref=fpb
While this has been understood for some time, welcome aboard GOP Senators now let's get something done.
"The Senate’s immigration Gang of Eight plans to announce a deal within a week but a committee markup is not expected until at least the week of May 6, providing a long period for debate and changes, Senate aides said Tuesday."
"Aides said the legislative proposal could be released as soon as Thursday, but is more likely to be ready early next week. The schedule outlined by the aides is meant to satisfy Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has said repeatedly that he wants a full debate and amendment process, to maximize the chances that the final vote is an overwhelming majority."
"A Senate aide told POLITICO: “The senators had a good discussion with [Judiciary Committee] Chairman [Patrick] Leahy this afternoon. We are optimistic that we will be able to introduce legislation soon. Chairman Leahy has agreed to hold a hearing as soon as possible after the legislation is introduced, and has promised to have unlimited debate and amendments during the committee markup."
“Assuming Republican members push for as much time as possible, the committee debate will last through the next recess, giving plenty of time for public debate and review,” the aide added.
"The Senate will return May 6 after a break for the last week of April. Leahy and the Gang of Eight decided to hold a hearing next Wednesday on the bill, according to two Senate aides. The timing of the hearing is meant to serve as a backstop, forcing the senators to release the bill language by then."
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/senates-gang-of-eight-immigration-deal-89832.html#ixzz2Q4bVfFMp
This talk of going slow and the need to drag it out is still there though this may be a need to assure the base that they're watching the store. One source of concern is the Gang of Eight group will have language that the border's need to be "totally secure" before a path to citizenship and that this could take years.
"Immigrants in the U.S. illegally would not gain green cards under a bipartisan Senate bill until law-enforcement officials are monitoring the entire southern border and stopping 90% of people crossing illegally in certain areas, according to people familiar with the plan."
The border-security proposal, part of a broader immigration bill being written by eight senators, sets several goals that would have to be met before any of the estimated 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally could apply for permanent legal residency, also known as a green card, according to the people familiar with the Senate talks. Meeting all the goals is expected to take 10 years.
If this isn't enough:
Along the U.S.-Mexican border, 100% of the border would have to be under surveillance, and law enforcement would have to catch 90% of those who cross the border illegally at "high risk" sections—a term that people following the Senate talks did not define. In 2010, the Department of Homeland Security reported that only 44% of the border was under operational control, meaning officials had the ability to detect and block illegal activity there."
:In addition, the government would have to create an electronic system to monitor everyone who exits from the U.S. through airports or seaports, in an attempt to identify people overstaying their visas. People who overstay visas account for a large share of illegal immigrants, as much as 40% by some estimates.
"Once all of those measures are met, immigrants could begin qualifying for green cards. In the meantime, the legislation would grant probationary status to illegal immigrants who passed a criminal-background check, paid a fine and met other conditions. The legislation, which would also set special rules for agricultural workers, is not fully drafted and has not yet been released publicly.
There are two major problems with this. For one thing it's questionable that the borders aren't already secure. However, the bar here as being reported is so high it doesn't sound even remotely achievable.
"Meanwhile, advocates for immigrants and some Democrats worry that stringent border-security requirements would create an indefinite delay for illegal immigrants seeking legal status. Frank Sharry, executive director of the group America's Voice, said the Senate plan seemed poised to include the "toughest border-security requirements ever."
"It raises the question of whether it's actually achievable, and whether it will end up thwarting the path to citizenship for 11 million people," he said. "I think there will be a lot of heartburn when the bill is released."
However, the devil's in the details. It may not be as onerous as it sounds:
"How tough the security measures prove to be will depend on the details of the legislation. Lawmakers will have to define, for instance, "high-risk" areas subject to the 90% apprehension requirement. The border-security targets will also depend on how lawmakers define requirements for surveillance, also known as border "awareness."
The language is perhaps meant to sound draconian to convince the the base that the GOP reformers are not giving away the store.
However, the big news of the day is that House Speaker John Boehner vows to look at the Senate bill if they pass it. Thank you Speaker.Glad to hear you will "review it." It's obvious why the body you provide over is at 12% approval. You said you need this job like a hole your head. I'd say we need you and your party's leadership in the House like a hole in our heads.
No comments:
Post a Comment