Speech #1100044685

It is pretty hard to keep 12 Senators in one room for 2 / hours. but we did. We have come to what has been categorized as a "grand bargain." That is a term one of our most active participants. Senator LINDSEY GRAHAM. gave to it because we had the overall structure of an immigration bill. We did not have all the aspects of it worked out. but we were proceeding to provide for real border securityborder security which would increase the number of border guards from 12.000 to 18.000 and border security which would encompass a fence. We cannot have one across the entire border. but we can have a fence to secure our major metropolitan areas. illustratively San Diego and southern Arizona. We have worked laboriously to craft identification so an employer would know whether an applicant for a job was legal or illegal. When an employer has the opportunity to be certain of the legal status of those he hires. then the stage is set for tough sanctions on employers so that we can reduce the magnet to bring people to the United States for jobs when they are not legally in the United States. We have provided the mechanism for dealing with the 11 million undocumented immigrants. We have structured a program so it would not be fairly or accurately characterized as amnesty. The requirements of that program are that immigrants learn English. that the immigrants have roots in the United States. that they have held a job for a protracted period of time. that they pay a fine. and that there be a socalled touchback provision. It is still not decided as to the issue of back taxes. but that is a consideration which is on the table. We have provided for a Guest Worker Program which is what it says. that is. people come to the United States for the purpose of filling jobs and then will return to their native homes. We provided that if there are people living in the United States legally. citizens or legal immigrants. they would have the first opportunity at these jobs. .53. Pt. 8 May 9. 2007 We have held some 23 meetings over the course of the past 3 months. So 1 was a little surprised to see the statement by the majority leader at a press conference yesterday. Perhaps it was said partially in jest. but Senator REID pointed out that there had been notice for some 2 months that the immigration bill would be taken up in the last 2 weeks before the Memorial Day recess. Then he said: And anyone who thinks that 2 months is not enough time to get ready should get another occupation. Maybe he said it in humor. but certainly I would fit into that category of looking for another occupation.