(Updated and bumped. Original timestamp 2007.06.23.01:39)
GOP Seeks More Immigration Enforcement
By Julie Hirschfeld Davis, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - New requirements to track down, deport and permanently bar people who overstay their visas would be added to a broad immigration bill under a GOP bid to attract more Republican support.
The amendment, which also would prevent illegal immigrants from gaining lawful status until they pass a background check, is one of those the Senate will consider next week when it returns its attention to the immigration measure. The bill is likely to see a final vote by month's end. ...
Read the whole thing, and don't miss Ed Morrissey's related comments.
The increased enforcement is a step in the right direction but why not just pass those provisions in a separate bill? The simple fact is that no matter how much enforcement the bill calls for it's still up to the Executive branch to actually do the enforcing and we have a Chief Executive who'll drag his feet all the way. If there's no hope for an enforcement only bill right now it's better to just not do anything and hope this whole fiasco has enough people upset enough to elect some congresscritters and a Chief Exec who actually believe in enforcement next year.
Bloggers, radio reshaping bill on immigration
By Stephen Dinan
The top Senate Republican negotiator on immigration said he has heard the complaints of conservative talk-radio show hosts and bloggers, and will try to change the immigration bill to accommodate them.
Sen. Jon Kyl, the Arizona Republican who wrote the bill with Democrats and the Bush administration, said he is making moves to stiffen immigration law enforcement when the Senate bill returns to the floor next week.
"All of the concerns from our constituents and some in the media have been listened to, and incorporated," said Mr. Kyl, who is drafting new provisions in an amendment he hopes to offer. ...
