Synopsis of the Senate bill

[JulieC]

Here is a synopsis of the bill currently before Senate

Senate bill:

_Allows illegal immigrants who have been in the country five years or more to remain, continue working and eventually become legal permanent residents and citizens after paying fines, back taxes and learning English.

_Requires illegal immigrants in the U.S. between two and five years to go to a point of entry at the border and file an application to return.

_Requires those in the country less than two years to leave.

_Illegal immigrants convicted of a felony or three misdemeanors would be deported no matter how long they have been in the U.S.

_Creates a special guest worker program for an estimated 1.5 million immigrant farm workers, who could also earn legal permanent residency.

_Provides 200,000 new temporary "guest worker" visas a year.

_Authorizes 370 miles of new triple-layered fencing plus 500 miles of vehicle barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border.

_Authorizes hiring an additional 1,000 Border Patrol agents this year, for a total additional 3,000 agents this year.

_Adds another 14,000 Border Patrol agents by 2011 to the current force of 11,300 agents.

_Authorizes additional detention facilities for apprehended illegal immigrants.

_Requires employers and subcontractors to use an electronic system within 18 months to verify new hires are legal. Increases maximum fines to employers for hiring illegal workers to $20,000 for each worker and imposes jail time for repeat offenders.

_Delays by 17 months, until June 1, 2009, a requirement now in law that Americans re-entering the U.S. after cruises or short visits to Canada and Mexico show a passport or high-tech identification card.

My question is this is all well and good but what about the people who are here LEGALLY.

[charliesmum]

The legals are not considered a problem as;

1. There are not upwards of 12 million of us,

2. We pay our taxes and are by and large law abiding people,

3. We are not a drain on the economy... far from it, we contribute.

This is why we as a group are so p****d off at this current legislation which will give Illegal Immigrants the chance to become citizens whilst our children, educated at the US tax payers expense will be thrown out at 21.

Unfortunately, we are under the radar, there are not enough of us to demonstrate and if we did, we would not really forward our cause.

So the best idea is to not renew your visa or I94, lie low for 5 years and then pay your fine and apply... I for one am halfway there as I have a basic grasp of English.

Steve

[JulieC]

LOL Steve, dont you just love it!!

[Bobby]

Indeed, it doesn't make for good reading for all of us who have ploughed our money into a LEGAL path to the US only to find out that we might as well have come over and picked oranges for 5 years

Commenting on the address to the nation though, I found Bush's speech naive and narrow-minded, (almost as if he'd written it himself!)

I know very well, that every time he talked about "our borders", he was talking directly about the border between Texas and Mexico. The guy is so insular that he only thinks about 'that' entrance to the US by illegal immigrants.
The speech went on and still you could tell he was only talking about Mexicans and some closer South Americans coming over, but always, by his words, was he meaning the Mexico/Texas border.

The very notion that he mentions about learning English, and coming from a poverished background. Hell, perhaps I'm wrong, ......maybe he's talking about a bus load of scousers arriving through Mexico. Nahhhhhhhhh! ... I don't think so. They'd fail on the felony counts!! lol Only joking here. I have loads of Scouser friends, and I love them to bits.

.....................because they always have great bent gear for sale!!

God Bless America! ..... cos right now we need all the help we can get, or this country is going to the dogs.

Bobby

[JulieC]

My husband doesnt usually post on forums, but was incensed when he heard this and felt compelled to put pen to paper. As you can see, he is p......ed!!

WE have invested at least $200000 in this country, employ at least 5 people, directly and indirectly, have a thriving and growing business, we speak English, conform to all US laws and what is our reward. WE are constantly scrutinized and examined and made to jump through expensive legal hoops merely to get an extension to stay for a few more years. Our children are dumped like so much unwanted rubbish outside territorial waters merely for reaching the age of 21. WE are made to pay full taxes and social security in spite of the fact we are barred from claiming any benefits. WE cannot claim homestead exemption and pay far more property tax than permanent residents. WE have to accept the fact that we will be ejected the minute we cease to work.


On the other hand the illegal immigrant whom has been breaking American law and paying no tax for at least 5 years will apparently be punished with a green card. Not for him the prospect of having to pay university fees five times higher like I will for my son starting at UCF next year. Not for him deportation the minute he gives up work. Medicare, social security scholarships for his kids, sure just apply. Speeding/parking tickets- just tear them up.

When it comes to looking stupid, trying to LEGALLY migrate to the USA on a visa is on a par with “extended warranty, how can I lose!”

Terry

[wanderersfan]

Well Julie, that is my sentiment and i would imagine every brit over here on a visa. You should e-mail it to all the senators, in fact we all should send something. I have sent stuff recently to raise our plight but the answers arnt good, bit predictable really. Someone really needs to speak up in the house , i will keep on trying as ive nothing to lose. My wife even wrote to pres bush over this but it got passed to homeland security who sent back the obviouse photocopy of the legislation.
john

[Kriz1]

Oreilly@foxnews.com

Send it in....I would...

[casjon]

Julie

Your husbands letter really hits the point home - I think you should try and get it published.

Tell him he should get angry more often - he could really be a great ambassador for the E2 movement.:) :)

[JulieC]

Looks like they have thrown the bit that would have afforded all illegals permanent residence out. Looks like we are back with the guest worker programme.

Senate rejected a California Democrat's plan to allow the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country to remain, work and eventually become U.S. citizens, preserving a fragile bipartisan coalition needed to pass the bill.


Several lawmakers who voted Tuesday against the proposal offered by Sen. Dianne Feinstein said they did so reluctantly, but out of necessity to ensure survival of the broader immigration bill. That legislation is expected to win Senate passage Wednesday or Thursday.


"This legislation is on the edge of the ledge as it is," said Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, one of the Republicans supporting a delicate compromise that has kept the bill alive - letting two-thirds of illegal immigrants stay but making the other third leave.


Feinstein's amendment, defeated 61-to-37, would have supplanted the compromise that allows illegal immigrants here five years or more to stay and work six years and seek legal residency after paying back taxes and fines and showing they were learning English.


Those in the country two to five years under the compromise would have to go to a point of entry, exit and file an application to return as a guest worker. Those here less than two years must leave the country, but could apply from their native country to return as a guest worker and wait in line to get a visa.

[pags]

regarding the foxnews link
i don't particulaly watch tv--is this someone who is the type who campaigns on their show for worthy causes?? if so we all on this forum should email in and confirm, maybe by having a seperate topic when the email has been sent in. this will give us a feel for how many numbers go in and then we can further lobby the programme to go public if they don't do it on their own??

while ever we procrastinate no one will publicise the problem. 2 guys i met from dallas last week were appalled at the E2 situation when they are granting green cards to illegals.they said they would sign a petition

should we individually start gather names/addresses of us citizens who support us??

[Kriz1]

I don't know if anyone here has seen this site...or if it would be of any use...I know most people here can't vote....but it could be helpful to have your letters printed here...

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=20004&lvl=F

[Kitty]

Hi Pags

Great Idea

Next time I visit Walmart I will take my clip board, get their addresses, signatures


Oh forgot, I might just pick up some illegal's signatures and they enter to clean the place up

Seriously though, not a bad idea. A petition signed by USC's in favour of supporting legals to a get fairer immigration system. reduce backlogs, protect all children who will age out

At the same time signing to say they are not in favour of special treatment or rewarding people who are ilegals and send to Nelson, Matinez and Weldon , not forgetting the NY Times

[pags]

thanks for the sarcasm--if you are currently in england still then you don't get the feel for what we are going thru!
the one that would get the numbers would be a poll on a search engine like msn

its blind, and millions would see it--

the named petitions is good too but for more localised support