IS THE NEW IMMIGRATION BILL AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS? [+] ballot by cranky ACTIVE Fri May 18, 07 - Wed Feb 10, 10 President Hails Deal on Immigration Reform WASHINGTON (May 18) - In a striking reach across party lines, the White House and key lawmakers agreed Thursday on a sweeping immigration plan to grant legal status to millions of people in the country unlawfully. President Bush said the proposal would "help enforce our borders but equally importantly, it'll treat people with respect." The compromise brought together an unlikely alliance of liberal Democrats such as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and conservative Republicans such as Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona on an issue that carries heavy potential risks and rewards for all involved. Conservatives on both sides of the Capitol derided the deal as "amnesty" for illegal immigrants, using a politically charged word that figured prominently in campaigns across the country last year. "I don't care how you try to spin it, this is amnesty," said Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C. The proposed agreement would allow illegal immigrants to come forward and obtain a "Z visa" and - after paying fees and a $5,000 fine - ultimately get on track for permanent residency, which could take between eight and 13 years. Heads of households would have to return to their home countries first. Mitt Romney, another Republican presidential hopeful, issued a statement calling the plan "the wrong approach," saying it conferred "a form of amnesty" on illegal immigrants. "That is unfair to the millions of people who have applied to legally immigrate to the U.S.," the former Massachusetts governor said. (AP) * * * * * * * * Does the new immigration bill sound like amnesty to you? Yes No In between Ballot #114989 : SEE RESULTS Comment: show your vote with comment?

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