Senate to Consider Amnesty/Guest Worker "Compromise"

Republican and Democrat negotiators in the Senate have crafted a "compromise" bill to grant amnesty (legal residency) to 12 million or more illegal aliens. It also offers them the pathway to citizenship if they return to their home countries to make application and pay a $5,000 fine.

The bill also would increase legal immigration, now around 900,000 a year to more than one million annually. In addition, it would admit 400,000 "guest workers" per year. Under the law they could enter on two-year visas for a total of six years (and return home for one year in between stays). During those stays, however, they can "earn points" toward becoming permanent residents. They will be allowed to bring family members, and their children born here will be citizens, as provided under the current interpretation of the 14th Amendment.

The guest worker program will not go into effect until immigration law enforcement is deemed adequate by the government. It would include the building of a border fence, increasing the Border Patrol, and an employment verification system.

An analysis by NumbersUSA, concludes that the proposed Senate measure would double the number of permanent resident immigrants (now 25 million) to 50 million within 13 years.

Commentary: This legislation is utterly irresponsible. It borders on treason. The compromise basically consists of splitting the difference between the Republican desire for cheap labor and the Democrat desire for more cheap votes.

Do the supporters of this bill in either party care about massive population growth and its attendant problems, such as overcrowding, environmental degradation, and gridlock? Evidently not. Since 1970, when we had 200 million people, we've added 100 million more people-significantly due to immigration.

Do these senators care what rewarding the lawbreakers will do in terms of respect for our law, and in terms of inviting more foreigners to come here illegally? Evidently not. Do these senators care about the burden of massive numbers on assimilation and the cultural cohesion necessary to maintain our basic values? Evidently not. Do they care about the lower wages and declining job opportunities that American workers will face? Evidently not. Do they care that their bill will totally swamp the already overburdened immigration service? Evidently not. Do they care about the costs to taxpayers to provide social services to amnestied illegals and guest workers? Evidently not.

And just what are native-born citizens supposed to get from this bill? Well, promises that something will be done to enforce immigration law. In the words of Yogi Berra, it's déjà vu all over again. In 1986, legalization of illegals passed with pledges of a one-time only amnesty. One so promising was Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), chief sponsor of the present legislation. Others promised strict enforcement after the amnesty.

Those promises weren't kept, so why should we think such promises will be kept now? The Senate bill is a disaster in the making. To impede this disaster, Americans must flood their senators will calls.

Take Action: Contact your Senators today via our Legislative Action Center. Tell Senators to vote against any bill to give legal status to illegal aliens.