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Immigration See other Immigration Articles Title: Bush Faces More Trouble Over Imigration Bll; faces another brewing Republican revolt Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:33 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush, whose administration suffered a stinging setback over a Dubai company's deal to operate some U.S. port terminals, faces another brewing Republican revolt over immigration reform. With the full Senate due to take up the issue before the end of March, Republicans are split over what to do about the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country. Whichever way they turn, some part of their governing coalition will be furious, analysts said. The issue could also antagonize Hispanic voters -- a swing group Bush has targeted as a source of Republican growth -- before November elections in which Democrats are seeking to regain control of Congress. "I have seen virtually no agreement on anything when it comes to this immigration bill. Emotions are running at an all-time high," said Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He spoke as debate began in his committee on an ambitious overhaul of U.S. immigration law. Specter is pushing Bush's proposal to create a guest-worker program for jobs that Americans either cannot or will not do. The committee is also trying to agree on a provision for illegal aliens to gain legal status. That has angered a sizable anti-immigration wing in the Republican Party. More than 90 House members, nearly all Republicans, have joined a caucus headed by Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, who has vowed to derail Bush's guest-worker plan and any legislation that smacks of what he calls "amnesty" for illegal immigrants. "There is a loud group of anti-immigration folks out there for whom this is the main issue they care about. They make a lot of noise, send e-mails and write and call their congressional representatives," said John Gay of the National Restaurant Association, which backs a guest-worker program and a way for illegal immigrants to become legal. "This issue splits both parties but it splits the Republicans more," he said. In a debate roiled by charges of xenophobia and lax security, Republican lawmakers broke with Bush this month and forced a Dubai company pull back from its plans to acquire management of some terminal operations in six major U.S. ports. On immigration, Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Edward Kennedy has pushed for a guest-worker program and a path for legalization, but many Democrats have been content to watch the Republicans fight, said Steve Camarota of the Center for Immigration Studies. One Republican aide said the party needed a major accomplishment before the November election. But others doubt an immigration overhaul can pass this year because the issue is so divisive. The House of Representatives, where anti-immigration sentiments are stronger than in the Senate, passed a bill last December to tighten border security and toughen enforcement against illegal immigrants. 700 MILES OF FENCE It included money to build 700 miles of fencing along the Mexican border. But there was no guest-worker program and no mechanism for illegal aliens to become legal. "The House bill electrified the Hispanic community. Tens of thousands have showed up for rallied against it. This could really turn out the Latino vote in the November mid-term elections," said Michele Waslin of the National Council of La Raza, the country's largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. The House bill also included a clause stating that anyone who helps undocumented immigrants live or remain in the United States, or transports or harbors them knowingly, could face prosecution and even imprisonment. Opponents said the provision could make criminals out of doctors, social workers, welfare agencies, teachers or priests who assist illegal immigrants. Supporters said the provision was aimed at alien smugglers and those who knowingly exploit illegal immigrants by giving them low-wage jobs. Bush won 44 percent of the Latino vote in the 2004 presidential election. But he may have little influence on the immigration debate because of his low approval rating, said Tamar Jacoby, an immigration expert with the Manhattan Institute think-tank. Polls show Americans are worried about the porous southern border. However, a Time Magazine poll in January found around three quarters favored allowing illegal immigrants to become legal if they leaned English, had a job and paid taxes.
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#1. To: Brian S (#0)
His base is pissed, he thinks they will have no choice, in November, but they will have a choice, the base will stay home. If the Democrats are smart, the would pass a law that would go after employers of illegals, there you don't have Latinos(namely ones who are citizens, or in the process of natrualization targeted) either way if the Illegals win you are going to get a revolt.
Why fix what ain't broke?
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