I rise in strong opposition to the amendment. It undermines both the intention and the spirit of this bill. The amendment would not only treat future workers as less than American workers. it would treat them as less than all other immigrant workers. The real issue isI will get right to it--after many long months and weeks and hours of negotiation. we had a proposal that passed through the Judiciary Committee and then a compromise. thanks to Senators HAGEL and MARTINEZ. basically establishing the framework for a compromise in the Senate. If this amendment should pass. that whole compromise is destroyed because a fundamental part of that compromise was that those who have been here for 2 to 5 years. after having gone back to a port of embarkation. would then be eligible for temporary work under the temporary worker program. and then over time be eligible for green card status and citizenship. This amendment would destroy that compromise. I understand very well why the Senator from Texas and the Senator from Alabama on the floor of the Senate. and others. have been opposed to this bill from the beginning.
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immigrant green card