go here to send petition

http://www.grassfire.org/42/petition.asp?PID=11155547&NID=1

As if they give a damn what we think.

True. Viva la America!!!

u know i understad that the people that come here illegaly should get
leagle... but think about all the kids that were forced over here and
have had to hide and not get decent paying jobs growing up here!!! and
there are alot of immigrants that are just hard working people.... and
just want a better life!! and i think its a shame all of u cant see
that!!! what if u were in there position?? would u want someone telling
u to leave the country for just trying to make a living here.. ??

I have no pity for anyone ILLEGALLY IN MY COUNTRY. ILLEGAL is just
that...ILLEGAL. Those poooooor little illegal children are taking from
MY HONEST LEGAL CHILD. I say ship em home, close the borders and shoot
to kill. That IS my honest to god AMERICAN OPINION.

At one time or another your ancestors were immigrants, illegal or not,
the only difference is the govt at the time

ok... u are all origionally illeagals.. everyone exept native americans
which i am... so i guess we should have shot ur ass when u showed up on
the may flower!!! but we didnt and its NOT!! ur country... and what dose
the statue of liberty stand for?? and are u god frearing?? because when
its all over for everyone is judged!! and Barbies big sister... u are
no different!!!

Ya heather!!! I was going to mention the indians as well but that would
have been waaaaaaaay over some heads

Ten Questions and Answers about immigration bill..

Look, they are questions we all have.

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/washington/index.ssf?/base/politics-12/118020114590170.xml&storylist=washington

Q: What is the plan to stop employers from hiring illegal immigrants?

A: Eighteen months after the bill is enacted, employers would have to
check the documents of new hires through an electronic system that the
Homeland Security Department had set up. The agency also hopes to make
it possible for employers to check photos on immigrant documents to
prevent identity theft. Three years after the bill is enacted, employers
would have to run all of their workers, an estimated 140 million,
through the verification system. Employers found to have hired illegal
workers could be fined up to $5,000 per employee for a first offense.
Fines would rise to $75,000 per illegal worker for repeat offenses.
Employers could be sentenced for up to six months in jail for repeat
offenses. Under current law, employers can be fined up to $10,000 for
each illegal worker on their payroll.

Q: What happens to people who enter the country illegally in the future?

A: Along with deportation, illegal immigrants could face fines for the
first offense to 20 years in detention for repeated offenses.

Q: Would the Senate proposal punish people who give water to someone
entering the country illegally?

A: No. The bill says providing emergency humanitarian assistance,
including emergency medical care and food or taking an illegal immigrant
to a place to get help without compensation is not aiding and abetting
illegal entry.

Q: Does the Senate plan have a new temporary worker program?

A: Yes. Foreigners who want to work in the U.S. would be able to apply
for temporary worker visas. About 200,000 two-year "Y" visas would be
available annually. The number of visas would rise or fall based on job
availability. The visa could be renewed up to two more times, but the
worker would have to home for a year between renewals.

Q: Can temporary workers in the new program earn legal permanent
residency?

A: No. After a maximum of six years of work, with one-year breaks every
two years, temporary workers would have to return home permanently. They
could apply to become legal residents while in their home country. But
they would have to be considered for a visa under a new system that
awarded points based on education, job skills, market needs, English
proficiency and family ties.

Q: What about agriculture workers?

A: The bill would create a five-year pilot program under which as many
as 1.5 million illegal farm workers could acquire legal status through
new "Z-A" visas. To qualify, they have to have worked at least 150 days
in U.S. agriculture within the two years ending Dec. 31, 2006. They then
would have at least 150 more days over three years or 100 days over five
years to be eligible for legal permanent residency.

Q: What about family members who have applied to enter the country
legally?

A: Lawmakers say they will speed up the awarding of visas and green
cards to family members of U.S. citizens who applied by May 1, 2005. The
Homeland Security Department estimates it will take the government eight
years to process that backlog of applicants. Anyone who applied after
that date falls out of the line. They can try to get visas through the
new "point" system.

Q: How does this affect people who want to apply for visas to join
family in the U.S. in the future?

A: The Senate bill would limit green cards for parents of U.S. citizens;
the cards now are unlimited. In addition, after about eight years, when
a backlog of applications for visas is cleared, siblings and adult
children of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents no longer would
be eligible for visas solely because of their family ties. They would
have to apply through the point system that gives preference to
education and job skills.

Q: Does the Senate proposal make English the official language of the
U.S.?

A: No. It would recognize English as the common language of the United
States. An amendment could be offered to try to make English the
national language.

Q: How much would all this cost?

A: The costs and benefits roughly offset each other on the government's
books. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the immigration
overhaul would cost the government up to $77 billion over the next 10
years. The biggest single cost would be refundable tax credits for
low-income workers who formerly had illegal status. The budget office
also estimates the proposed changes in immigration laws will produce an
added $70 billion to $75 billion in government revenues over the next
decade.

Q: How long before this bill becomes law?

A: A long way. First it must pass the Senate. The House then would
consider a bill of its own. If each chamber passes a different bill,
more negotiations would be in store to reconcile differences. The Senate
and House would have to pass the resulting compromise bill. Bush has
said he would like to sign a final bill in August.

Q: Is this amnesty?

A: Opponents say it is because people who illegally entered the U.S. can
obtain visas that allow them to stay and work in the country
indefinitely. These immigrants also could — but would not have to —
apply to become legal permanent residents, which eventually leads to
citizenship. Supporters of the bill say it is not amnesty because
immigrants must work several years, learn English, pay fines and fees.

Q: How will the government get the illegal immigrants to step forward?

A: Six months after the bill is passed, the Homeland Security
Department would begin registering illegal immigrants who want legal
status. The government would take their fingerprints and check their
backgrounds. All this will be done over one year. After an illegal
immigrant submits his fingerprints and an application, he would get an
interim legal status that makes him eligible for a "Z" visa and to hold
a job. Illegal immigrants who do not step forward risk deportation. Some
could be found ineligible because of criminal records or other
information arising out of the background checks.

Q: Is that all these immigrants must do?

A: No. First some border security measures need to be accomplished; that
is expected 18 months after the bill becomes law. After that, illegal
immigrants who registered would get the Z visa. This would allow them to
remain legally in the country, work and travel. To get this visa,
immigrants must pay a $1,000 fine, up to a $1,500 processing fee and a
$500 state impact fee. They also must show they are trying to learn
English and pass a background check. The visa would be good for four
years, but can be renewed every four years at a cost of no more than
$1,500 each time. On the second renewal, the immigrant has to pass the
naturalization test, but is not eligible for citizenship.

Q: Does an illegal immigrant have to leave the U.S. to get this Z visa?

A: No. He only has to return to his country of origin if he wants to
become a legal permanent resident. He would not be able to get a green
card until the backlog of people already in line is cleared; that is
expected to take about eight years. All owed back taxes also must be
paid first. The cost to go from a Z visa holder to a legal permanent
resident would be $4,000, plus the $325 green card application fee and
$70 fingerprinting fee. Both fees could rise.

Q: What about an illegal immigrant's family?

A: Family members illegally in the U.S. since before Jan. 1, 2007, also
could apply for a visa — Z-2 for spouses, Z-3 for minor children. They
have to pay a $500 fine and a processing fee of up to $1,500 for each
visa.

Q: What about border security?

A: Before immigrants can get Z visas, 20,000 Border Patrol agents must
be hired, trained and in place. Also, there must be 370 miles of fencing
and 300 miles of vehicle barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. The
Border Patrol now has about 14,000 agents. The bill calls for installing
105 ground-based radar and camera towers and deploying four unmanned
aerial surveillance craft and their support systems along the southern
border. A practice of releasing detained illegal immigrants on personal
recognizance must have ended.

In the 1986 Amnesty bill there were provisions for securing the border.
Those quickly fell by the wayside and I feel like they will this time
also. We'll be having this same discussion 10 years from now.

I support this bill. It is fair and a hell of a lot better than doing
nothing for another 5 or 6 or ? years! It is not free amnesty, but it
does give the haed working immigrant a chance to become a citizen, but
he must really want it. The fines on employers who hire illegals are
very stiff. If they are enforced for once. It addresses what to do with
future illegals and addresses how to keep track of them. It also
includes funds to build detention facilities along the border to
process, finger print, and photograph them in case they try to return.

I hope you're right Fanta......I just don't trust them to do what they
say they will do.

Well thats a different issue. If we can get this bill intact through to
law, then if they dont enforce it we can deal with that. I really think
it is fool prove though, and it addresses what I want, its fair, and I
really think its the best shot at getting something done for a long
time. Like I said Im for it, and I posted these Q & A's because I think
for people to make an important decision like calling to support or to
complain they should be informed. These Questions are the ones I ask,
and they are answered in Layman terms that are easy to understand!

A majority is much a stronger influence on representatives who are
looking for votes. If uninformed people start calling in thinking this
bill is total amnesty nothing will be done! It only takes a min or two
to read, and I bet it will answer the questions in everyones mind.

I agree people should be informed. Your posts do a good job of that. I
have a motto though..."when in doubt, vote em out"

i like numbersusa.com you can send faxes to your congress man or
senators there an follow up on what your senator is voting for or
against an alot about the immigration is on their wheather you are for
or against you should voice your opinion to your senator or congressman
just at least be a legal citizen when you do this an try voting sometime
at least try to change the world dont sit an watch it all go by without
a say in it.

Fanta, sorry, I'm tired. Thought I had read all this but didn't see a
thing regarding the limitation of immigration or how many from each
country would be allowed?

There was talk of securing borders, what about the 'shores'? Not every
alien comes by land.

What about those here now, citizens, who are not being allowed to bring
their families here. Shoudn't our own citizens have first right of
immigration before all those who are unsponsored?

This seems to be a bill written for and pertaining to Mexicans. Where
in here is the big picture?

"Native Americans" were immigrants to. Ever heard of the Bering Land
Bridge? How do you think "Native Americans" got here?

haha omg you are too funny!!!!