May 26, 2006
THE SENATE PASSED SB 2611, THE COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION BILL ON MAY 25, 2006. NOW IT IS IN THE HANDS OF A COMPROMISE COMMITTEE WHOSE GOAL IS TO RECONCILE THE COMPREHENSIVE SENATE BILL WITH AN
ENFORCEMENT-ONLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BILL.
What will survive the compromise remains to be seen.
A list of the amendments which went through the Senate is listed below.
Stay tuned for updates.
As the debate ensues and the details emerge, we will keep you posted as the news comes in. What is important to anyone considering legalization as either a guest worker or of their workers, interior enforcement is continuing and there is NO law until President Bush signs on the dotted line.
Further, this office has been and is actively speaking to potential applicants who might qualify as well as their employers. One of the purposes of our meetings has been to determine exactly which employees would not qualify under current immigration law for benefits. For example, some construction workers we spoke with had domestic violence convictions - a traditional disqualifier for immigration benefits. Others include re-entry after prior deportation, drug possessions, etc... We discussed current options of post-conviction relief, such as going back and vacating disqualifying criminal problems.
Furthermore, under the proposals, each person seeking to remain in the country, under employer sponsorship would need to pay ALL back taxes. So why would your workers wait? We have been leaving many people with the idea: now is the time to clean-up lives in order to qualify for guest-worker status tomorrow. If your business is interested in a site visit to speak with your valued
workers, please contact us at 866-892-9264 (ext.2). The attorney is available to speak in Spanish or in English to your potential guest workers.
AMENDMENTS
S.AMDT.3961
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To prohibit the granting of legal status, or adjustment of current status, to any individual who enters or entered the United
States
in violation of Federal law unless the border security measures authorized under Title I and section 233 are fully completed and
fully operational.
ALEXANDER: YEA (also co-sponsor)
FRIST: YEA
RESULT: 5/16/2006: Amendment SA 3961 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 40 - 55
S.AMDT.3994
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To prohibit implementation of title IV (which includes the proposed guest worker program) and title VI (which includes the
provisions relating to the 11 million undocumented workers) until the President determines that implementation of such
titles will strengthen the national security of the United States.
ALEXANDER: YEA
FRIST: YEA
RESULT: 5/16/2006: Amendment SA 3994 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 79 - 16
S.AMDT.4027
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To make certain aliens (people who have committed serious crimes or have absconded after on order for their removal)
ineligible for adjustment to lawful permanent resident status or Deferred Mandatory Departure status.
ALEXANDER: YEA (also co-sponsor)
FRIST: YEA (also co-sponsor)
RESULT: 5/17/2006: Amendment SA 4027 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 99 - 0
S.AMDT.3979
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To increase the amount of fencing and improve vehicle barriers installed along the southwest border of the United States.
ALEXANDER: YEA
FRIST: YEA
RESULT: 5/17/2006: Amendment SA 3979 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 83 - 16
S.AMDT.3963
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To strike the provisions related to certain undocumented individuals (narrowing number of immigrants to whom reform law applies).
ALEXANDER: NAY
FRIST: NAY
RESULT: 5/17/2006: Amendment SA 3963 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 33 - 66
S.AMDT.3965
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To modify the conditions under which an H-2C nonimmigrant may apply for an employment-based immigrant visa
(individuals cannot self-petition into guest worker program; employer signoff required).
ALEXANDER: YEA
FRIST: YEA
RESULT: 5/17/2006: Amendment SA 3965 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 48
S.AMDT.4066
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To modify the conditions under which an H-2C nonimmigrant may apply for adjustment of status.
ALEXANDER: NAY
FRIST: NAY
RESULT: 5/18/2006: Amendment SA 4066 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 56 - 43
S.AMDT.4064
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To amend title 4 United States Code, to declare English as the national language of the United States and to promote the
patriotic integration of prospective US citizens.
ALEXANDER: YEA (also co-sponsor)
FRIST: YEA (also co-sponsor)
RESULT: 5/18/2006: Amendment SA 4064 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 63 - 34
S.AMDT.4073
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To declare that English is the common and unifying language of the United States, and to preserve and enhance the role of the
English language.
ALEXANDER: NAY
FRIST: NAY
RESULT: 5/18/2006: Amendment SA 4073 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 58 - 39
S.AMDT.4072
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To establish a grant program to provide financial assistance to States and local governments for the costs of providing health care and educational services to noncitizens, and to provide additional funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program.
ALEXANDER: NAY
FRIST: NAY
RESULT: 5/18/2006: Amendment SA 4072 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 43 - 52. Record Vote Number: 133.
S.AMDT.4038
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To require aliens seeking adjustment of status under section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act or Deferred Mandatory
Departure status under section 245C of such Act to pay a supplemental application fee, which shall be used to provide financial
assistance to States for health and educational services for noncitizens.
ALEXANDER: YEA
FRIST: YEA
RESULT: 5/18/2006: Amendment SA 4038 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 64 - 32