The spin word of the day is "probation..." Gracias por nada, Mel Martinez...
Key Senators say they've reached a bi-partisan deal on immigration reform...
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate leaders on Thursday announced a bipartisan compromise on an overhaul of U.S. immigration laws, giving some illegal immigrants a path to citizenship and creating a temporary worker program.
"I think we're looking like we may be able to dance this afternoon," Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada told reporters.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, appeared with Reid and said "We have a great opportunity to deliver to the American people what they expect, what they deserve," a comprehensive border security and immigration reform bill.
The deal, which would include a temporary worker program backed by President George W. Bush, would allow illegal immigrants who have been in the United States more than five years a chance to become citizens if they meet a series of requirements and paid a fine. Other rules would apply to people in the country less than five years.
"We still have obstacles ahead," said Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican who helped lead the debate. McCain cited some pending amendments that could gut the compromise as well as eventual negotiations with the House of Representatives, which passed a much harsher bill that concentrated only on border security and enforcement of immigration laws.
McCain said Bush supports the compromise. Bush was expected to make a statement shortly. Time to turn on the C-SPAN...
Meanwhile, organizers of freshly planned immigration protests caution participants to leave the Mexican flags at home... (or in their hearts, whichever's easier).
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Tags: immigration, Politics, border, MEXICO, McCain, illegal aliens, Illegal-Aliens, Illegal immigration, Mexico, Mexican flag |
