Immigration Compromise Still Alive

Bipartisan support in the Senate held today for the compromise immigration bill. Liberal and conservative opposition forces introduced amendments in an attempt to break apart the fragile bipartisan coalition supporting the bill. Senator Clinton introduced an amendment that would make it quicker for spouses and children of green card holders to get Visas. The Congressional Budget Office announced that the cost of the bill would be more than offset by increased social security taxes collected from new legal workers however it would only cut down the illegal workforce by 25% ensuring continued debate as it moves forward.

Who's Dream?

I'm for sensible immigration reform, but something from Sen Harry Reid's website has me upset. It's called the Dream Act. In a nutshell it supports providing in-state tuition and financial aid for "for young people who aren’t U.S. citizens". I support a path to citizenship for hard working folks who are here to make a better life for their family. I understand that we can't and shouldn't round up all illegal immigrants and send them packing. But before we give them special consideration, maybe we should make in state tuition available to military dependents. Normally these kids don't have a choice of what their state of residence is, one of the many sacrifices they make so their mom or dad can serve. We also have a large class of people who aren't rich, but earn too much money to qualify for federal aid (OK I'm being a little selfish here). Why should I subsidize someone else dream at the expense of my own kids?
In principle, I support President Bush on the compromise bill, however if this provision makes it into the final bill in conference it will be a bitter pill to swallow.