R.I. delegation calls immigration deal a first step
6:59 PM Fri, May 18, 2007 | Permalink
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PROVIDENCE -- Rhode Island’s congressional delegation -- Democrats all -- are cautiously optimistic about the agreement that would overhaul immigration laws to provide the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States with a path to permanent legal status and also crack down on employers who hire illegals and strengthen enforcement along the nation’s porous borders. Sen. Jack Reed, the senior member of Rhode Island’s delegation, called the deal ``a promising beginning’’ but said it will take a lot of work on the details of the 380-page legislation to get it in shape to win House and Senate approval. ``The reality is that the status quo is not acceptable,’’ said Reed. ``I think what you have right now is a situation where people are living in the shadows and they are exploited.’’ What is needed, Reed said, is an approach that enforces meaningful restrictions against employers who hire undocumented workers, beefs up border security -- and gives illegals the hope for legal status. ``I feel confident going forward that we are going to have a strong system of border control,’’ said Reed. The proposed immigration compromise has been months in the making in negotiations between senators and President Bush’s administration. The agreement was forged largely by a partnership among Sens. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and John McCain of Arizona, who is running for the GOP presidential nomination, and Mr. Bush, who has long sought an immigration deal. The Senate agreement would give temporary legal status to virtually all illegal immigrants in the United States, while allowing them to apply for residence visas and an eventual path to citizenship. A temporary worker program would allow as many as 400,000 immigrants into the country each year, but they would have to leave within two years. It would also change the philosophy behind the current visa system -- which stresses family unification -- by establishing a point program that would favor skilled and educated workers. And most of these changes would take effect only after the enforcement of tough new border patrols and a crackdown on employers who hire illegal workers. Read the extended entry for reaction from the rest of the R.I. delegation. Rep. James Langevin of the 2nd District called the compromise a ``good step forward’’ and says it will become the starting point for difficult negotiations on the immigration issue. For ``national security and human rights reasons,’’ Langevin said, there is a need for a comprehensive approach to immigration. ``It is important for national security that we have background checks….and focus on going after people who are not here for good reasons,’’ said Langevin. ``We also need to put people who have been here for a long time on a path to being here legally.’’ Rep. Patrick Kennedy of the 1st District, whose father is Sen. Kennedy, said the legislation is a good ``starting point.’’ ``In the end we need comprehensive immigration reform that honors our nation’s while respecting rule of law,’’ said Kennedy. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said any legislation solution must balance the need for border enforcement, increasing penalties for employers who hire illegals and establishing a program to give workers here illegally a path to legal status. ``The bipartisan compromise reached yesterday is a first step, but the bill is not yet in final form,’’ said Whitehouse. ``I’m going to work closely with my colleagues over the next several days to review this proposal, and see what changes are made to address the concerns that have been raised, before I decide whether to support this measure.’’ The stark reality, Langevin said, is that with between 8 and 14 million illegals living in the United States, there is no realistic way to deport all of them. ``It would be both unfair and unrealistic to think we are going to round up between 8 and 14 million people,’’ said Langevin. ``We couldn’t deport that many people and think it is not going to have an impact on the economy.’’ -- Journal staff writer Scott MacKay 
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Langevin is completely right. Deporting 14 million people sure would have an impact on our economy. It would open up millions of apartments and houses, thus dropping those prices at the same time it would open up millions of jobs, thus driving up the wages. So cheaper living costs with increased income? Where's the problem now with deporting 14 million people breaking the law?
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Some thoughts from an angry voter who has been let down by his President and his representatives.
The President and the Democratic and Republican members of congress are ignoring the majority of voters in the US. We do not need an amnesty bill. Just enforce our current immigration laws and have Border Security. The immigration bill that the senate and the president want to see passed. Is a big mistake: First we need Border Security and workplace enforcement only! And then enforce our current immigration laws! Then maybe after all the border security and workplace enforcement has been in place for several years! Then maybe and thats a big maybe! Then we may be able to discuss the illegal aliens still here and possibly some kind of temporary guest worker program! Why is the media not talking to citizens of the US and getting some opinions? I do not see stories about people who are against this bill! Just stories of illegal aliens against or for this bill?? Are we being ignored?? Makes you wonder????
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