 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
bantaba
Switzerland
61 Posts |
 Posted - 18 May 2007 : 02:01:41
|
A great day for many of our Gambian brothers and sisters who residing here in USA illegally. Both the House and the Senate have agreed on a terms in regards to the nature of illegal immigrants. The agreement will in time grant legal status to millions of illegal The main concepts behind the agreements are that illegal immigrants will granted a "Z Visa" but before this visa is granted, a fine of 5,000 dollars have to be paid. The next step will be permanent residency will would take about 8 to 13 years. In order to a permanent residency to be granted, a head of household would have to return to back to their country of origin before a permanent residency can be granted. I spoke to many Gambians who are illegally living in U.S. welcomed this idea.
|
Edited by - bantaba on 18 May 2007 02:32:42 |
|
|
Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 03:18:57
|
This is a good news to not only Gambians, but people of all nations residing in America. It also, among the many other good takes, comes with its flaws. I congratulate the American people for a good initiative. { in the article i authored in the old forum of bantaba, this was truly my call, titled "tears of an immigrant."]
I however reserve further opinion as to the nature that the whole thing will be conducted. It;s a few lawless individuals in some of these offices, taking the law of the land into their own hands. They failed woefully.
I never regretted marching in the streets of Minnesota supporting the move to show justice to immigrants in America.
But if there is sunshine once more in America, today is another day. "All humans are equal before God." Aba. Lincoln. It's God's world, God's Africa, God's humans and God's America. I hope and pray that my little daughter will grow to live to fight for immigrants and minorities in America. Amen!!  
Culled from Cnn (Courtesy)
Immigration breakthrough could pave way for citizenship
POSTED: 8:25 p.m. EDT, May 17, 2007
Story Highlights NEW: Speaker Pelosi wants Bush to guarantee 70 votes in the House
Bipartisan group crafts bill that gives immigrants a path to citizenship
Immediate work authorization for those who arrived before January 1, 2007
Border Patrol agents would be doubled; fencing would be strengthened
Adjust font size:
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States could be put on the path to citizenship under a new immigration bill agreed upon Thursday by a bipartisan group of senators.
"The agreement we just reached is the best possible chance we will have to secure our borders, bring millions of people out of the shadows and into the sunshine of America," Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts said.
President Bush expressed gratitude to the senators for their work. (Watch senators explain how the bill works )
"I really am anxious to sign a comprehensive immigration bill as soon as I possibly can," he told reporters outside the White House. "Today, we took a good step toward this direction."
The bill is going to the Senate next week and if it passes, will then proceed to the House.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has told the White House that she's not going to bring the issue to the floor unless the president can deliver at least 70 votes.
But Republican Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said the bill is not a done deal.
He said he has "concerns with the principles outlined in today's announcement."
"I believe today's announcement is somewhat premature because specific legislative text has yet to be drafted on a number of key details," Cornyn said in a statement. "Until I have the opportunity to review this text, I will withhold from making more detailed comments."
The 380-page bill, which comes after nearly three months of negotiations, would give immediate work authorization to undocumented workers who arrived in the United States before January 1, 2007.
Heads of household would have to return to their home country within eight years, and they would be guaranteed the right to return.
Applicants would also have to pay a $5,000 penalty.
Additionally, the number of Border Patrol agents would be doubled, border fencing would be strengthened and employers who hire undocumented workers would face fines.
The process of enforcing those provisions would take about 18 months, according to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
After the provisions are in place, a guest-worker program would be initiated, under which 400,000 temporary workers per year would be granted a "Y" visa.
The two-year visas would require they return home for a year, then allow them to re-enter for an additional two-years. The process could be repeated twice more.
Each year, they would be able to bring their families on 30-day visitor visas, and each year, they would earn points toward a merit-based green card.
Specter: This is not amnesty
"It is not amnesty," said Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. "This will restore the rule of law."
Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona called the bill "a first step, but an important first step, to moving forward with comprehensive overall immigration reform."
"I'm sure that there are certain provisions that each of us would not agree with, but this is what the legislative process is all about," said Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia.
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, acknowledged that not everyone will be pleased with the bill's treatment of the immigration issue.
"To the American people, I would say, 'Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good,' " she said.
She said the bill would ensure that border security is strong and that farmers -- who depend largely on an undocumented work force -- will be able to find workers.
"From my perspective, it's not perfect, but it represents the best opportunity that we have, in a bipartisan way, to do something about this problem," said Republican Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said the bill started out being about how to deal with illegal immigration "and wound up being about what it means to be an American ... I think we've got a deal that reflects who we are as Americans."
He added, "From the Ph.D. to the landscaper, there's a chance for you to participate in the American dream on our terms in a way that makes this country better."
Graham predicted the bill would find "overwhelming" support among lawmakers.
Debate on the bill is slated to get under way in the Senate on Monday, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said she wants passage of a bill before August.
Bush: Immigration a tough issue for a lot of Americans
Bush described immigration as "a tough issue for a lot of Americans," but added, "The agreement reached today is one that will help enforce our borders but, equally importantly, it will treat people with respect. This is a bill where people who live here in our country will be treated without amnesty but without animosity."
That view was challenged by Republican Rep. Brian Bilbray of California, chairman of the Immigration Reform Caucus.
"The 'compromise' announced today by Sen. Kennedy will reward 12 million illegal immigrants with a path to citizenship -- what part of illegal does the Senate not understand?" he said in a written statement.
"Any plan that rewards illegal behavior is amnesty."
The American Immigration Lawyers Association decried the proposal as "large-scale social experimentation," singling out the "guest worker" program as one that would preclude a path to permanent residence for new temporary workers.
"A practical solution for the undocumented population is an enormously important step in the right direction," the association said in a written statement. "But the cost of fixing our current problems cannot be the creation of bigger problems in the future."
But Chertoff told CNN that the bill would help him better focus his resources.
"Right now, I've got my Border Patrol agents and my immigration agents chasing maids and landscapers. I want them to focus on drug dealers and terrorists. It seems to me, if I can get the maids and landscapers into a regulated system and focus my law enforcement on the terrorists and the drug dealers, that's how I get a safe border."
Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Popular | Feedback
Next story in PoliticsPolitics
Search Topic E-mail Alerts
Labor Legislation
Edward Kennedy
Immigration
What are E-mail Alerts? | Manage Alerts | Create Your Own
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World Bank chief stepping down
Embattled World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz agreed to resign Thursday after weeks of controversy over his handling of a pay package for his girlfriend, a ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deal reached on immigration bill
Paris Hilton drops appeal
Study: Southern Ocean saturated with CO2
'I'm afraid every day'
Seinfeld gets buzz for 'Bee'
Bill would give 12 million a path to U.S. citizenship
Teen 'afraid every day' as gun violence soars
Paris Hilton drops appeal
CNNMoney: Why gas prices are rising while oil isn't
Soldiers comb 'Triangle of Death' for GIs
Seinfeld 'Bee Movie' in Cannes (:49)
Father microwaves baby (1:34)
Secret hotels of Greece (6:16)
'Paper sons' (7:02)
Now In The News
Mexicans line up outside the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey, Mexico, as they wait to interview for working visas May 17, 2007.
ADVERTISER LINKS
Browse/Search Senators share their views on the compromise (:45)
VIDEORELATEDGroup seeks to block rental ban
GOP debate highlights
Tech firms grilled over visas
Bush prods deal
THE PROPOSALILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS:
Those who arrived before January 1, 2007, will be given immediate work authorization, granted a "Z" visa and put on path to permanent residence.
Head of household must return to home country within 8 years. They will be guaranteed back in.
Penalty: $5000, staggered
ENFORCEMENT:
Double border patrol, new security perimeter, border fence.
GUEST/TEMPORARY WORKERS:
Guest worker program cannot begin until enforcement provision is in place.
400,000 temporary workers per year enter on two-year visas, must return home for a year then re-enter for additional two years. They may come three times.
Earn points toward merit-based green card.
May bring families on 30-day visitor visas each year.
Source: Sen. Edward Kennedy's office
QUICK VOTE What do you think of the proposed immigration bill?
Immigration reform
Amnesty for illegals
or View Results
|
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
|
 |
|
|
Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 03:34:41
|
http://www.camara.dk/_bantaba/00004354.htm
from the old forum/achrives
The faith of immigrants "replay" & my take !
From: Dalton
Remote Name: 172.157.122.26
Date: 19 oktober 2005
Time: 15:27
Comments
THE TEARS OF AN IMMIGRANT IN AMERICA The tears of an immigrant in America is a true narration as a result of the existing relationship between immigrants and their American host . In writing this article, i write to challenge the Gov't to put in more flexible rules to ebable immigrants who wish to live in their countries have the easy ways to adjust status without pushing them into frudullent activities. One will honestly agree that the struggle of an immigrant in America starts with Obtaining a social security card. Next comes the effort to obtain an ID or drivers lisence. It is true with the new wake of terror, the american gov't is right to ensure close monitor of all immigrants . What is funny, America won't be able to track these people once they don't have them in records and the only way to have them in records is to allow them have social security numbers and ID cards. The importance of immigrants in a country be it the illegal or legal immigrants cannot be put on paper, therefore it is important to base this debate on the positive things that immigrants can contribute to a nation diverse like America and how America can treat old and new immigrants fairly. Immigrants, most of whom are real law-abiding constitute a good proportion of the workforce and their taxes also goes to Gov't coffers. Not only are immigrants hungry for jobs and want to adjust to the new environment but they take all kinds of jobs, jobs that the citizens of that country may not like to do. In American, the Latinos and Africans are one people to greatly note and even though they may find themselves in illegal work status but their contribution is immense and immeasurable. When the immigration rules are too hard, then that's real cause for concern and a real threat to immigrants in that particular nation. America must move a step forward to differentiate between their "terrorist" and their "immigrants" and the two doesn't even rhyme nor have any thing in common. The calling of immigrants as terrorist or would-be-terrorist is totally unfair and must be re-examined to give each of those words their right defination. One such a time, where America failed it immigrants is when governor of carlifornia, Arnold in a TV comment said "close the borders" refering to the latinos when arnold himself is an immigrant young enough to remember his violation of an American visa. Knwoing that California is full of Latinos , and infact the very people that voted him in office in his race against American born national Grey Davis. The excessive part where immigrants from third world countries find it hard to adjust their status is the real sickness. Everyone knows visa is based on a relative petition, greencard lottery, educational visas, visitors and etc.. One such hard to maintain is the educational visa, where the cost for tuition is extremely high. If not for the many that can lobby for political asylum and are granted, others get into marriages and some keep hoping on winning a green card . This is why my support for a bill that was in the pipeline by the bush Administration must be sought for , so that American immigrants are given work visas without having them keep hiding from authorities and involving themselves in frudullent activities. Now, lets commend America for the good job with their Somali, togolese, ethiopian and other immigrants that they brought to their land, settled them down and continue to assist them move from one step of development to another. As far as i understand, those people didn't betray their trust-they work 24/7 , pay taxes and stay out of trouble. Something also to remind america on, this is the land of Immigrants. With Afro-american, the Indians, the Italians etc..One must honestly agree that the land is all full of immigrants and decendants of immigrants. If the rules were made so tough at a time when their grandparents were intending to leave in America, then america wouldn't have had a lot of brains like they do today. One such decendant of immigrant is Barak of Chicago , IL whose father is an African and happen to be someone Africans and Americans are really proud of. Another one in the American soccer team, Sulayman Sanneh is someone to put on this paper , be that his father is a Gambian and he is seen moving around the whole field in the last world cup. The Ghanian born Koffi Anan, Secretary general of United nation is one such who was an immigrant and now a world icon for any to count on including his friend America, though now their relationship is at war. Together with the many unknown millions of immigrants and their decendants contributing immensely to the socio-economic of America. While sympathising with immigrants, one cannot exclude the reasons why people move from one nation or place to another. People move because of economic hardship, political instability, education, and others because of just choice. Here, lets say people move for greener pastures. Immigrants continue to suffer any where in the world and we must begin to face reality. The thing funny and interesting about an immigrant is , any can be one-even an American president visiting Mexico is an immigrant at that particular time in visit. So it is not like a will to be one , it is rather a call to be one. Some respected U.S govt Senators are also married to immigrants . Since after the hateful 9/11, Immigrants in America are living under threat. Since the new amended laws are very repressive towards the immigrants, Many have been subjected to deportation and arrestation by immigration officials. While i support the move to root out terror especially those people not only immigrants that continue to dwell on crime, America should fully differentiate between terror and immigrants. As has been seen, many immigrants contine to face this challenge daily and to them this is a total nightmare and an incurable cankerworm. For example among the Gambians that live in the U.S, three dozens were arrested in Kentucki, 12 people in Minnosota, a dozen in Atlanta, a dozen in wisconsin just to put on paper for the records, all of whom were arrested for student visa violations. This is only from a small west-african country with a population of one million people. Now, think of the other millions of immigrants living uncomfortable in the land ? Don't they deserve a reward for the good job and hardwork they are doing. I would even reward someone for loving me so America must continue to love people who love to be in their nation. Now, since in the many different states- immigration status is syncronised with ID / drivers lisence records or police records , the hiding of peaceful immigrants have become more difficult. This is not a crime we are charging America but call we putting to their foreheads. The call is simple, they should encourage the work visa program-and that itself will help them greatly keep records of their immigrants if they so desire to screen their activities at any time. Infact, it is a great cost on Gov't to take someone to immigration jail or deport them so why not allow them to work , while you get your taxes since this is an intedependent relationship. The fear by many is that when the immigrants popultion is too much, the American country might end up in the hands of immigrants OR THEIR DECENDANTS. While people like Minister Farakhan continue to rally Blackamericans and Latinos for rallies against American Gov't for what they call continuos suffering and illegal wars, one cannot rule out the possibility of that fear being a factor for making immigration rules hard. Should the many be judged from a few, and that is a question i challenge any that is rightful in their way of thinking. Ofcourse terrorist and their associates have not made this way easy for both America and the immigrants. As have been observed, all those involved in the 9/11 were immigrants and infact visa violators, and that's why the many among them argued that if those people were deported then the disastrou 9/11 wouldn't have taken place. That arguement really holds but how come a million be judged from a few ? And yet what we know, terror of all kinds are threat to humanity . No one is safe with binladen terror or terrors of Govts. While we search for the evil ones among humanity, we should reward immigrants for good attitude, adherence to law and order and keeping the peace. LONG LIVE IMMIGRANTS AND AMERICA MUST NEVER CLOSE THEIR DOOR FOR THEM.
|
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
