Fighting For Mexico
September 2, 2007
President Felipe Calderon blasted U.S. immigration policies policies on Sunday and promised to fight harder to protect the rights of Mexicans in the U.S., saying “Mexico does not end at its borders.” The criticism earned Calderon a standing ovation during his first state-of-the nation address. “We strongly protest the unilateral measures taken by the U.S. Congress and government that have only persecuted and exacerbated the mistreatment of Mexican undocumented workers,” he said. “The insensitivity toward those who support the U.S. economy and society has only served as an impetus to reinforce the battle … for their rights.” Continue Reading »
Immigration Crack Down Next Seek!
August 31, 2007
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ACLU and others are warning of major disruptions when the federal government launches an illegal immigration crackdown next week with a flurry of letters notifying employers that some of their workers have suspect Social Security numbers. Employers told of suspect Social Security numbers must fix problem or face sanctions! The proverbial rock and a ahrd place. Continue Reading »
The Tide Is Turning!
August 25, 2007
Bush lost his “macho, see you at the signing” statement he made about the immigration bill two months ago. Immigration is now a losing proposition- for those that are not legal. The government is coming after the illegals. Most politicians who are running for office next year, see the hand writing on the wall (the public wants enforcement), and are backing off of supporting anything that looks like amnesty. John McCain probably is the classic example. But, here’s what’s happened in wake of the immigration bill defeat. Continue Reading »
Romney Takes A Stand
August 22, 2007
Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney criticizes “sanctuary cities” for illegal immigrants — and by implication Republican rival Rudy Giuliani — in a new radio ad. “Immigration laws don’t work if they’re ignored. That’s the problem with cities like Newark, San Francisco and New York City that adopt sanctuary policies,” an announcer says in the ad, which runs in New Hampshire and Iowa. “Sanctuary cities become magnets that encourage illegal immigration and undermine secure borders.” Continue Reading »
The Fed Is Coming!
August 9, 2007
The Bush administration plans to step up immigration enforcement by raising fines on employers who hire undocumented workers, overhauling temporary worker programs and speeding up deployment of border agents, according to a summary of the plans. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez planned to announce broad immigration changes in a news conference Friday. Continue Reading »
Another Bush “Machoism” Down The Toilet
June 28, 2007
Last week Bush made one of his “Cowboy statements” when he said that he would come back and get the immigration bill through Congress. His statement was, “See you at the signing“. Itr ain’t happening WWW! You can’t continue to defy the WILL of the people just because YOU want something done. Today the Senate killed the bill two days after the House had sent a message saying, “No way Jose”, even if the Senate passes it.
The Senate drove a stake Thursday through President Bush’s plan to legalize millions of unlawful immigrants, likely postponing major action on immigration until after the 2008 elections. The bill’s supporters fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed to limit debate and clear the way for final passage of the legislation, which critics assailed as offering amnesty to illegal immigrants. The vote was 46 to 53 in favor of limiting the debate.
Senators in both parties said the issue is so volatile that Congress is highly unlikely to revisit it this fall or next year, when the presidential election will increasingly dominate American politics. No amnesty any time soon!
A Late Update
June 28, 2007
The fate of U.S. immigration legislation was cast into doubt when at least six senators who helped revive the proposed overhaul said they either oppose or are leaning against a move to permit a vote on final passage.
Republicans Richard Burr of North Carolina and Christopher Bond of Missouri and Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska said they oppose permitting a vote on final passage. Virginia Democrat Jim Webb and Republicans John Ensign of Nevada and Pete Domenici of New Mexico said they were leaning that way.
The measure is in more jeopardy “than I thought a few hours ago,” said Senator Christopher Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat.
The supporters’ strategy of disposing of amendments that threatened the legislation’s bipartisan support hit a procedural snag late in the day, adding to the uncertainty. The Senate refused to set aside an amendment by Montana Democrats Max Baucus and Jon Tester that would dilute requirements employers verify the identity of new workers.
Under Senate rules, Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, now can’t move to consider other provisions without getting the consent of all 100 senators.
`I think this hurts” the measure, said Texas Republican John Cornyn, an opponent.
A Florida Crackdown!
June 27, 2007
The sheriff’s department of Panama City Beach, Florida has developed a remarkably effective - and controversial - way of catching illegal immigrants: Deputies in patrol cars pull up to a construction site in force, and watch and see who runs.
Those who take off are chased down and arrested on charges such as trespassing, for cutting through someone else’s property, or loitering, for hiding out in someone’s yard, or reckless driving, for speeding off in a car.
U.S. immigration authorities are then given the names of those believed to be in this country illegally.
“It’s not wrong for them to run, but it’s not wrong for us to chase them either,” said Sheriff Frank McKeithen, who created his Illegal Alien Task Force in April to target construction sites in this Florida Panhandle county.
Meanwhile, the immigration bill in the Senate will face it’s next critical vote on Thursday. Attempts from the right and left to alter key elements of the delicate bipartisan compromise failed Wednesday, including a Republican proposal to deny illegal immigrants a path to citizenship and Democratic bids to reunite legal immigrants with family members.
The Senate killed, by a 56-41 vote, an amendment by Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., to provide more green cards for parents of U.S. citizens. By a 55-40 margin, it tabled a proposal by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., to give family members of citizens and legal permanent residents more credit toward green cards in a new merit-based points system.
A make-or-break procedural vote was set for Thursday, however, as the Senate plowed through amendments that supporters hoped would address waverers’ concerns.
One More Try!
June 26, 2007
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted to revive a stalled immigration overhaul backed by President George W. Bush that would offer a path to citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants.
The Senate voted 64-35 to resume debate
The legislation would be a significant victory for President George W. Bush in his second term in office. It faces strong opposition from many of his fellow Republicans, who call it an amnesty for people who broke U.S. laws and argue it would do little to stem the flow of illegal immigration into the United States.
But the fa lady hasn’t sung yet.
House Republicans rejected President Bush’s sweeping immigration reform bill on Tuesday, passing a symbolic measure opposing the legislation. The vote was 114 to 23, and it came after the Senate voted to revive a stalled immigration overhaul that would offer a path to citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants.
“Today’s vote illustrates overwhelming opposition among Republicans in the House to the Senate immigration bill and the process in which it was developed,” said House Republican Pete Hoekstra, according to Agence France Presse.
“It’s dead on arrival in the House,” Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind. said of the Senate bill. “A comprehensive bill will not pass the House. There is significant Democratic opposition and overwhelming Republican opposition.”
Knowing the House will defeat the bill, Senators can do whatever they like.
It’s a game called politics! 
Immigration Bill Still Not Being Debated
June 25, 2007
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has put off a vote on immigration reform until early next week, citing confusion within his own party on concluding work on the energy bill. That may be true, but what may also be true is that he likely does not have enough votes to overcome a filibuster by the bill’s steadfast opponents. But waiting may not be in his interest as time is on the opposition’s side.
Known in the Senate as McCain-Kennedy, the immigration bill which is being strongly supported by the White House is most strongly opposed by the conservative base of the Republican party, and up until now, President Bush’s strongest supporters.
Conservative talk radio, which for the better part of six years defended the White House on nearly every position, is in outright revolt. Their opposition is not so much disrespectful to the Republicans or the president as it is the kind of support a friend would give to another who is about to jump off a cliff.
Kennedy Optimistic On Immigration
June 24, 2007
Since the bill on immigration reform carries Ted’s name, maybe he should be optimistic; however, he’s beginning to sound like George Bush: “See you at the signing”. Sen. Edward Kennedy predicted Sunday that a bill overhauling U.S. immigration law would be supported by enough Republicans to ensure its passage this week. In order to win passage, there must be 60 Senators in favor of it.
There’s “a recognition in this country that doing nothing is not an alternative,” Kennedy, D-Mass., said on ABC’s “This Week.” “The problem is going to grow worse. The reason we’re going to pass this bill is because it’s tough, fair and practical,” Kennedy said.
Fair and practical is obviously in the eye of the beholder! 
But two other backers of the bill, Sens. Trent Lott, a Republican, and Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat, are not as optimistic as Kennedy regarding the bill’s future. Feinstein said Sunday that she is “hopeful” the parties can come together.
Debate on the bill resumes this week, and opponents are decrying provisions that create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants already in the country. They also are demanding stricter border enforcement.
A fragile compromise was pulled from the Senate in early June, then resurrected after bipartisan negotiations with the White House. The bill awaits a crucial test vote this week. With several senators distancing themselves from the proposal, the outcome was too close to call.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., last week said his support for the bill hinges on the outcome of a series of amendments agreed to as part of the compromise to revive the legislation.
It should be a fun week!
Senators Try One More Time
June 23, 2007
The Senate next week will consider tougher immigration enforcement measures — including mandatory jail time for foreigners who overstay their visas — to gain more conservative support for a major immigration overhaul.
The enforcement package, endorsed by architects of the bipartisan compromise on immigration policy, is part of a sweeping immigration bill that faces an uncertain future when it returns to the Senate floor Tuesday.
Crafted by Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Jon Kyl of Arizona, the new crackdown proposal also would require that foreigners who visit relatives in the U.S. post $2,500 bonds that they would forfeit if they don’t leave on time.
It also would bar foreigners who pose health or safety risks from being admitted as temporary workers; add 10,000 immigration investigators and eliminate a proposal that the government grant illegal immigrants a probationary visa if criminal background checks on them are not completed within 24 hours.
Incorporating a concept advanced by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, the Graham-Kyl amendment also would require illegal immigrants to return home temporarily within two years of receiving a probationary work visa if they are the head of the household.
The Senate also will vote on a Hutchison amendment requiring all work-eligible adults — not just heads of household — to return home first.
Cornyn participated in many of the bargainers’ early sessions but withdrew, he said, after “it was clear the enforcement concerns I had were not being taken seriously.”
The BIG California Bust!
June 22, 2007
Scores of illegal immigrants, including a man wanted for murder and a convicted child molester, were arrested in Southern California raids this week, U.S. authorities said on Friday.
The sweeps in Orange County, south of Los Angeles, were part of an operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeting “criminal aliens” — defined as people in the country illegally who have also committed other crimes.
Of the 175 people arrested, 27 are criminal aliens and another 26 are “immigration fugitives” who had ignored deportation orders by a judge.
The raids were part of larger crackdown on immigration fugitives, which this year has resulted in the first ever decline in their number, to 632,189, according to an agency spokeswoman.
Interesting to say the least!
The Texas Gal & Guy Say No!
June 21, 2007
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, who has been under intense pressure from the White House and Republican leadership to support a sweeping immigration overhaul, nevertheless announced today that she will vote against reviving the legislation when it returns to the Senate floor next week.
She was joined today by the state’s other senator, Republican John Cornyn, who had been expected by the bill’s supporters to take such a stance. They had aggressively lobbied Hutchison in hopes of adding her vote to the 60 necessary to revive the stalled legislation.
“I could not support (bringing the bill to a vote) in its present position,” Hutchison, criticizing the legislation as amnesty for illegal immigrants, said today.
Cornyn added, “Passage of a comprehensive immigration reform bill has been, and remains, one of my top priorities in the Senate. It has become clear however, that I and many others will not be able to introduce amendments to fix key areas of this very complex bill.”
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