Obama backs bipartisan approach to immigration reform

[Bluebear]

Would only that we could test citizens for their "proficiency" in English!!!11

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WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama, facing criticism from advocates of immigration reform, pledged Thursday "to do everything in my power" to get immigration legislation moving in Congress this year.

Obama said work on an immigration bill should move forward based on an outline released Thursday by Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

"A critical next step will be to translate their framework into a legislative proposal, and for Congress to act at the earliest possible opportunity," Obama said.

The outline calls for illegal immigrants to admit they broke the law, pay a fine and back taxes, and perform community service if they want to get on a pathway to legal status. They would also be required to pass background checks and be proficient in English.

"I congratulate Sens. Schumer and Graham for their leadership, and pledge to do everything in my power to forge a bipartisan consensus this year on this important issue so we can continue to move forward on comprehensive immigration reform," Obama said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_immigration

[DJ13]

1. Doesnt that sound like the same plan Bush proposed?

[The Northerner]

2. IMHO, it's more extreme than Bush's plan

Bush's plan didn't include using SS#s for identification as a means of being hired or something similar in the current plan.

Just the thought of the current legislation scares me.

[ibegurpard]

3. Don't let this guy near reform of anything

eom

[leftstreet]

4. Jeebus H Krispies! Why don't the Dems just BOW OUT of the midterms?!

This is starting to look sooooooooooo staged!

[Fumesucker]

5. Bipartisan approach? Well, now that's a refreshing surprise..

I wonder how many Republicans will vote for the bill?

[Mari333]

6. oh the GOP must love having their asses kissed.nt

[geek tragedy]

7. It's reasonable, considering that they're breaking the rules

by their very presence here in the first place.

Immigration, like it or not, needs to be bipartisan to have any chance of moving forward. Democrats won't touch it unless Republicans give them cover.

[Bluebear]

8. How much in "back taxes" will they pay? Who will educate them in English enough to pass the tests?

Will all the teachers be fired if the immigrants don't learn well enough?