Senate leader defends path to citizenship

you republicans need to get this thing right... I thought you weren't for amnesty??

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060528/...immigration_dc
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist strongly defended on Sunday the path to citizenship for illegal immigrants offered in the Senate's immigration reform bill, citing national security concerns.

Speaking on Fox News Sunday, the Tennessee Republican said a failure to hold out the hope of citizenship to people living illegally in the United States would encourage the estimated 12 million illegal aliens to "stay in the shadows."

"The reality is you can't just take 12 million people here, millions of whom are fully assimilated into our society ... and send them back" to their countries of origin, Frist said.

"If the goal is national security, for example ... it is mighty hard to say that we've got 12 million people living out around this country ... and say 'you stay in the shadows, everything will be OK'," Frist said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060528/...co/immigration
GOP rep. rejects 'amnesty' for migrants

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer 7 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The Senate plan to provide illegal immigrants with a shot at citizenship probably is a deal-breaker that will prevent passage of a compromise on immigration overhaul, the House's lead negotiator said Sunday.

"The words 'path to citizenship' is a buzzword for amnesty. We ought to be honest, it is amnesty," said Rep. James Sensenbrenner, chairman of the
House Judiciary Committee.

The Senate bill passed last week would tighten border security, offer a guest worker programs to bring in new foreign workers and provide a chance at citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants already in the country.

The House bill generally is limited to border enforcement and cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants.

Negotiators from both chambers will try to reconcile the differences and agree on a compromise.