CNN/AP: Fence proposal marks death of immigration reform

[DeepModem Mom]

Fence proposal marks death of immigration reform
September 20, 2006


A sign on Interstate 5 north of the border in San Ysidro, California, warns of people crossing the road.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate Wednesday took up a bill to erect a fence along one-third of the U.S.-Mexico border as GOP leaders conceded that efforts to enact a comprehensive immigration reform law are dead for the year.

The fence measure was aimed at achieving at least some progress in addressing the politically potent issue of illegal immigration before Congress adjourns for the midterm elections just six weeks away.

The Senate had passed a broader bill four months ago that combined steps toward tougher border enforcement with new guest worker programs and a controversial plan to give illegal immigrants already in the United States an eventual chance at citizenship.

But with House GOP leaders and more than half of Senate Republicans adamantly opposed to the Senate approach, Majority Leader Bill Frist ceded to reality and brought the border fence bill to the floor rather than adjourn for the year without Congress taking any steps on immigration....

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The now-abandoned comprehensive Senate bill would have allowed illegal immigrants in the country more than five years to stay and earn citizenship, a provision critics dismissed as "amnesty" for illegal aliens. It would have also created a guest worker program to allow another 200,000 immigrants a year and beefed-up enforcement on businesses

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/09/20/border.fence.ap/index.html

[madrchsod]

1. no one was really serious about reform

big business to the guy getting some dry wall done did not want reform, they just want cheap labor that asks no questions

[w4rma]

2. Fine with me. Both Senate bills have been rubbish. (nt)