WP: GOP Senators Seek Deal on Immigration Bill

GOP Senators Seek Deal on Immigration Bill
By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 4, 2006; Page A09

Senate Republicans important to passing a wholesale revision of the nation's immigration laws focused yesterday on a compromise that would get tough on illegal immigrants new to the United States while offering those who have been here at least five years a path to citizenship.

The talks, led by Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), are aimed at finding a formula that would persuade a majority of Republicans to support an immigration bill now backed largely by Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) plans to push for a final vote on immigration legislation this week, but it is not clear whether any measure can muster the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster.

Under the compromise proposal, still in the early stages, illegal immigrants who could produce pay stubs, billing records or other documentation showing they have lived and worked in the United States for five years would qualify for a work visa and an opportunity to apply for citizenship. They could stay in the country as they apply for a green card.

Those not meeting the requirements would have to return to their native countries. New measures in the larger immigration bill, such as a tamper-proof identification card and sanctions against employers who hire illegal immigrants, would convince recent illegal immigrants they have no choice but to comply, advocates of the compromise said....

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The compromise could satisfy some conservatives opposed to any program that offers illegal immigrants a way to stay in the country and work toward citizenship, which they term "amnesty." Under the plan, illegal immigrants could not be put ahead of others legally in the country and seeking U.S. citizenship. Because long-term illegal immigrants would still have to apply for a green card through normal channels, they also could not jump ahead of workers hoping to come to the United States through legal channels....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/03/AR2006040301554.html

WASHINGTON, April 4 — Senate Republicans who support legislation that would legalize the nation's 11 million illegal immigrants said Tuesday that they lacked enough support to bring the measure to a vote this week and were working on a more limited compromise that would rally a broader cross-section of Republicans. <snip>

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/05/washington/05immig.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Arizona's McCain and Kyl Exemplify Division Among Republicans Nationwide

By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 5, 2006; Page A05

Disagreements over how to deal with illegal immigration are splitting the Republican Party as few issues have lately, dividing state congressional delegations down the middle and bringing the Senate to a virtual standstill yesterday.

Epitomizing the divisions are Arizona's GOP senators, Jon Kyl and John McCain. Both face important elections and represent the same 5.8 million people. But they are leading the two main opposing approaches that Republican senators will have to reconcile if Congress is to address border security, illegal worker status, deportation practices and other issues. <snip>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/04/AR2006040401625.html