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Immigration See other Immigration Articles Title: Opening round of immigration reform begins It is the opening salvo in the new round of debate about immigration reform in Congress. Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.) introduced on Thursday the STRIVE Act (Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy) of 2007, a bipartisan comprehensive reform immigration bill. In a debate that has been dominated by irrationality, harsh rhetoric and outright racism, the mere introduction of this bill is an all-important first step. "The introduction of the STRIVE Act is a step toward passing a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill that will make our immigration system more humane while addressing border security, economic security, global competitiveness, and reestablishing the rule of law," said Héctor Figueroa, Secretary-Treasurer of Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ. "Our broken immigration system fuels an underground economy that undermines standards for all working people. Everyone who works hard in America deserves a job that supports a family, affordable health care and a secure retirement - we see comprehensive immigration reform as a way of achieving this goal." The STRIVE Act incorporates some essential points for a workable and fair immigration reform. For example, it establishes an earned legalization program for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. It also includes the DREAM Act, which makes it possible for immigrant students to pursue a higher education. The act also contains enhanced enforcement on the U.S.-Mexico border, tougher enforcement measures in the workplace, a temporary worker program, and a requirement - sure to provoke a great deal of controversy - that undocumented immigrants wishing to get on a path to citizenship first leave the country and reenter legally. But the Gutiérrez-Flake bill is just the beginning of what is sure to be a long and difficult process - a process that will demand much work, patience and bipartisan goodwill if it is going to culminate in real comprehensive reform before Congress recesses in August. "The bipartisan bill in the House is huge progress from last year's absurd anti-immigrant bill that sought to make criminal felons out of millions of undocumented immigrants and anyone who helps them," said Chung-Wha Hong, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition. "The demand for reform is coming from all quarters - immigrant families want a chance to fully contribute to this country, responsible businesses want a legal workforce, American workers want a level playing field, and the public wants a solution once and for all. Let's all get to work!" After a first read, the STRIVE Act looks like a useful tool to spark a discussion that could lead to real immigration reform. But it also seems too heavy on enforcement and too harsh in the requirements it imposes on undocumented immigrants who want to come out of the shadows and become full members of society - a society to which the great majority of them have been contributing for years. As Frank Sharry, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, said: "No bill is perfect, and after studying the language carefully, we expect we will take issue with specific provisions. But we are thrilled that the legislative starting gun has been fired."
Poster Comment: "It also includes the DREAM Act, which makes it possible for immigrant students to pursue a higher education." HARHARHARHARHAR. So this is a 2-fer kick in the pants to US legal taxpayer-citizens. The Dream Act = in state college tuition to illegals = and what will be extended to illegals will not be extended to regular citizens. HARHARHARHAR. So while we sheeple are fixated on whether or not Alberto will resign (I'll go out on a limb and say yes...chuckle)the congresscritters are cooking up a bipartisan deal to legalize 40 Million ( illegals and extended family members)Aberto clones. Nice.
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#1. To: scrapper2 (#0)
Well I'm glad their priorities are straight. I'm reminded of Cinderella's evil stepmom: "I said IF."
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