Republicans Reach Compromise On Immigration

Too shrewd by half, though it has some merit:

Those who have lived in the country at least five years would be put on a path toward guaranteed citizenship, provided that they remained employed, paid fines and back taxes, and learned English, a senior Republican aide said. The aide said this group accounted for about 7 million of the roughly 11 million illegal immigrants believed to be living here.

It has three layers you can read about through the link above. As usual, government solutions have an overabundance of administration, watering down the final result. But then the Senate rarely if ever lends clarity to a situation. Such is our manner of governance.

It's livable, as we are not going to gut whole industries with a mass deportation. That's a reality. What would remain to be seen is if enforcement is a reality, too. Personally, I have serious concerns that government will muck about with the fine details in sorting out the various groups, meanwhile, our southern border will remain wide-open for anyone who chooses to cross.

The devil will likely be in the details but I'll be interested to see if there are any time lines for border control built into the bill - time lines they won't play with once the Nation's back is turned. Unfortunately, immigration is going to be a topic for a long time, or the problem is not going to be solved. If their feet aren't held to the fire, politicians won't do anything.

It is also going to be extremely interesting to see what happens with this general strike called for May 1st. What a wonderful time to start rounding people up and shipping them home. Like that's going to happen anytime soon.

But then, there's always this alternative, which might not be so bad, after all. Then see link for more details on the potential legislation.

Comments

[RJ]

Does anyone know where I can find out more on the issue of ways to protect the border? I am bored with this Guest Worker BS and want to know how to jump into some activism. I live 300 miles from Laredo, we own a construction company and we are sick to death of our neighbors hiring illegals and making excuses. I sure would like to counter protest May 1. I guesss the best thing to do would be to act as if those 42 million boycotting don't make a difference. But we are fighting mad at this point.

[Phoenix]

RJ,

It's the 'fighting mad' that is going to make the difference. Serious civil unrest is close at hand, and that should shake up the slack attention spans of those in the government who are more worried about their voter base than actually doing something about this problem. Just watch.

[RJ]

That is the nicest thing you have ever said to me. Thank you.

[tk]

Let me see if I understand the senate's thinking. As I live in Arizona and work with all kinds of business owners I am around illegal workers all the time. Many have lived here for years and go back and forth to Mexico all the time. For them that is their home and America is where they work. Now they are to be told if they turn themselves in the government they will be allowed to pay back taxes, have a backround check done, continue to pay taxes, never get in trouble with the law, learn english and promise never to take a job americans want,they can get in line for citizenship that they don't want. An our government is going to monitor all of this. Get real.