Democrats Want Border Security Before Legalization

JyArete · 04-28-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Democrats' immigration bill calls for benchmarks before illegal immigrants can change status

An emerging immigration proposal by three Democratic senators calls for more federal enforcement agents and other border security-tightening benchmarks before illegal immigrants could become legal U.S. residents.

Those goals "must be met before action can be taken to adjust the status of people already in the United States illegally," according to a copy of the draft legislation, obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, that Sens. Harry Reid of Nevada, Charles Schumer of New York and Robert Menendez are developing.

The benchmarks include additional Border Patrol officers and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents to combat smuggling; more ICE inspectors at work sites; an increased number of ICE officers assigned to detect fraudulent documents, and better ways to determine fakes; more personnel to check for contraband at ports of entry; additional resources to prosecute drug and human smugglers and illegal border crossers, and for deportations.

An outline of the proposal does not specify the additional agents or resources required to meet the benchmarks.

Arizona's new strict immigration law has led to renewed demands for Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration bill. Reid, the Senate's majority leader, recently said he is committed to taking up immigration this election year, but also backed away from a possibility of addressing the divisive issue before climate change.

Reid's spokesman, Jim Manley, declined to comment Wednesday, as did a Schumer spokesman, Brian Fallon.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has worked with Schumer on the issue, has balked at moving ahead this year. At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, Graham, R-S.C., said drug violence along the border with Mexico is evidence that the border is not secure and has hurt the bill's prospects.

Democrats are failed so far in getting a second Republican to join Graham in writing immigration legislation.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=10499818

DA User · 04-28-2010, 01:50 PM

This is great news so now that the Dems and Reps are on the same page. This will lead to a bi-partisan bill that can passed with greater Rep support.

DREAMactASAP · 04-28-2010, 02:09 PM

Well, they may all support securing the border. But until when are going to gain legal status? Another bill sometime later while all the deportations go on?

There is absolutely no way that a bill to legalize us will pass on its own even after a securing the borders bill passes. I just want to know, when do we get a chance at freedom?

Jelly Bean Lover · 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA User

This is great news so now that the Dems and Reps are on the same page. This will lead to a bi-partisan bill that can passed with greater Rep support.

Yeah, and by the time the benchmarks are met--and everybody has been deported--the problem of legalization will solve itself: there won't be anybody left who will be eligible to legalize. I am sure that it is refreshing to hard-right Republicans to see that the logic of the Fugitive Slave Law in Arizona has finally penetrated the ranks of our supposed allies in Washington. Way to out-Republican the Republicans, guys!

I think we need to start pushing Dream as a stand-alone bill--or at the very least to push the administration to agree to the idea of temporarily halting deportation of potential Dreamers.

RenzoM · 04-28-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA User

This is great news so now that the Dems and Reps are on the same page. This will lead to a bi-partisan bill that can passed with greater Rep support.

did you even read the article?

DA User · 04-28-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean Lover

Yeah, and by the time the benchmarks are met--and everybody has been deported--the problem of legalization will solve itself: there won't be anybody left who will be eligible to legalize. I am sure that it is refreshing to hard-right Republicans to see that the logic of the Fugitive Slave Law in Arizona has finally penetrated the ranks of our supposed allies in Washington. Way to out-Republican the Republicans, guys!

I think we need to start pushing Dream as a stand-alone bill--or at the very least to push the administration to agree to the idea of temporarily halting deportation of potential Dreamers.

This means we will get a bill soon to pass and its going to happen in 2010.

DA User · 04-28-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenzoM

did you even read the article?

Yes.......

lilbawler2001 · 04-28-2010, 04:59 PM

Obama can put all this to rest by sending the national guard to secure the border now. The sooner he does that, the sooner our chances of getting legalized sooner under any bill.

Banished · 04-28-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilbawler2001

Obama can put all this to rest by sending the national guard to secure the border now. The sooner he does that, the sooner our chances of getting legalized sooner under any bill.

I've been waiting for him to make this move because even if it doesn't mean it is a permanent measure it still an action that works in their favor and lets them now that both parties can come to a mutual agreement.

DA User · 04-28-2010, 05:36 PM

Obama is the man!

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Democrats Want Border Security Before Legalization