Do you think this a fair compromise regarding the immigration issue?

The latest counterproposal to a bill by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., would base the chance of citizenship for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. largely on whether or not they were here before a cutoff date. That date has not yet been determined.

Those in the U.S. before the cutoff date, an overwhelming majority, could apply for green cards if they pay fines and back taxes and learn English. Among that group, those who had spent five years in the U.S. would get an easier path to citizenship, with newer arrivals facing more obstacles.

Those who arrived illegally after the cutoff date would be viewed as living here illegally and unlikely to qualify for citizenship while in the country.

full article

Re: Do you think this a fair compromise regarding the immigration issue?

Well much of the legalization that was done a few yeras back was started by the INS giving a cut off date. Let's say if you were here in 1990 and so on. The legalization did not start right away, they had to apply for work permitts first & then apply for thier green cards. I think many people want legal status & would benefit from it. I don't think Naturalization right away is the answer. But these people want to be tax payers just like many of us in this country. That would also benefit the tax budget as a whole. I think.

Message edited 4/5/2006 3:20:45 PM.

Re: Do you think this a fair compromise regarding the immigration issue?

It is such a difficult topic, and I don't think there is any clear cut right or wrong. To me, this bill address some of the difficult issues of illegal immigration and offers a fair compromise.

Re: Do you think this a fair compromise regarding the immigration issue?

I have some questions before i form an opinion:

-Why is it that particular date- 01-07-2004?

-Who is deciding how much back taxes the immigrants will pay? And by what guidelines?

-What, if anything, are they doing to improve the immigration process?

I have a HUGE problem with this part:

Re: Do you think this a fair compromise regarding the immigration issue?

Posted by baghag

I have some questions before i form an opinion:

-Why is it that particular date- 01-07-2004?

-Who is deciding how much back taxes the immigrants will pay? And by what guidelines?

-What, if anything, are they doing to improve the immigration process?

I have a HUGE problem with this part:

Bush said the immigration bill should include a guest worker provision that allows illegal immigrants to remain in the United States to perform jobs that, he said, Americans will not perform. But he said the legislation should not include an amnesty provision that provides automatic citizenship.

Um, what jobs will Americans not perform? Are we too good to do certain jobs in our country?

Re: Do you think this a fair compromise regarding the immigration issue?

As an adult ESL teacher (English as a Second Language) I love the idea of requiring them to learn English. For some reason, once they come into the classroom and meet other students in the same situation, they start to see America as more than just a place to make some money and go home. I have had more students tell me that they came here to make money and go back and came to class and made friends and now that are taking citizenship classes and going to community college. One student actually just told me that he would love to pay taxes and contribute but since he isn't here legally, he can't. He fled his country to stay alive.

I know this topic is sensitive and my DH is a naturalized citizen who had to wait for his papers when his family wanted to come here, so this is a tough issue and I think he resents what is being proposed since he had to wait and go through the proper paperwork.

I just have to say that I wish all of you could meet my students. The effort they put into learning English and American history and some of our customs is beautiful to see. Some Americans don't care as much for this country as some of my "illegal immigrant" students!

Re: Do you think this a fair compromise regarding the immigration issue?

Re: Do you think this a fair compromise regarding the immigration issue?

Posted by LadyLainez

Bush said the immigration bill should include a guest worker provision that allows illegal immigrants to remain in the United States to perform jobs that, he said, Americans will not perform. But he said the legislation should not include an amnesty provision that provides automatic citizenship.

Um, what jobs will Americans not perform? Are we too good to do certain jobs in our country?

I think what he means by that are the fruit fields, and jobs that are particulary perfomed by immigrants. Dish washers & so on.

Re: Do you think this a fair compromise regarding the immigration issue?

Some Americans don't care as much for this country as some of my "illegal immigrant" students!







I would have to agree. As a person that knows first hand the illegal situatiation and has lived it, I can say that I appreciate all the freedom & commodities this great country has provided me and my family as a whole.

Re: Do you think this a fair compromise regarding the immigration issue?

Um, what jobs will Americans not perform? Are we too good to do certain jobs in our country?

I think what he means by that are the fruit fields, and jobs that are particulary perfomed by immigrants. Dish washers & so on.


Maybe I am reading into that statement too much, but I think that automatically delegating immigrants to do menial work is wrong.


Yeah, it's Ef'd up..what he is saying just like most of what he says. But the sad part is many illegals take up jobs that many people thought were against the law. Working endless hours for nothing, but it's still so much better then what their countries can offer.

Message edited 4/5/2006 3:37:19 PM.

Re: Do you think this a fair compromise regarding the immigration issue?

If anyone wants to hear the opinions of some of the immigrants, give me some questions to pose to them tonight.

I want to get my advanced class talking and writing about this so I would love some "devil's advocate" types of questions for them.