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WASHINGTON, May 17 — Senators from both parties announced an agreement this afternoon on immigration-reform legislation that would bring illegal immigrants and their families “out of the shadows and into the sunshine of American life,” as Senator Edward M. Kennedy put it.
New York Times
(L-R) Chertoff, Bush and Gutierrez discuss immigration bill (Source: NYTimes)
The bill, by Senator Kennedy's own admission, is far from perfect but there's no sense in saying anything because it's not the final bill. We still have to wait and see what happens in the House next week, and I have a feeling that is where the real "show" will take place.
But the fact is the government is finally moving on crafting an immigration bill.
Which leads me to wonder what will happen in all those towns and states that have passed their own immigration ordinances.
Will they happily scrap those laws that are now on their official books or will they carry on "business as usual."
After all the fighting and threats, it will be hard for some towns to heal, especially if the House actually passes a bill in close agreement with what the Senate passed.
Yeah, there may be a show next week in the House but the real showdown will take place in the Farmers Branch and Hazelton towns across the nation.
Comments (3)
You are right, it will take towns time to heal. Towns can't afford to continue with all the welfare. extra policing, extra inmates in the jails. increased crime. We will never heal because crime will be more devastating than it is now. Our jails will fill with no relief from the federal government. We will be on our own to deal with this travesty. God help us all.
Posted by Anonymous | 19 de Mayo 2007 a las 02:23 PM
Posted on 19 de Mayo 2007 14:23
i too wish we had enough jails to keep illegal immigrants out since 1492
Posted by tizoc | 21 de Mayo 2007 a las 06:50 AM
Posted on 21 de Mayo 2007 06:50
Anon,
It may surprise you that illegal immigrants do not qualify for welfare, as such type of benefits are only available to legal residents and US born children. Did you know that the most prolific welfare recipient tends to be that of a, White single mother?
As for jail overcrowding, the United States now incarcerates more of its people any nation on earth, a distinction that once belong to Russia.
We can alleviate jail overcrowding by simply releasing those who committed low-level crimes and drug users who really need treatment rather than jail time, but more importantly we need to work towards improving our justice system, a system that routinely exacts greater punishment on People of Color, than it does for Whites committing similar types of crimes.
Just as you stated:
"We will be on our own to deal with this travesty. God help us all."
I could not agree with you more.
Posted by Tony Herrera | 21 de Mayo 2007 a las 02:51 PM
Posted on 21 de Mayo 2007 14:51