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H1b visas doubled
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03.31.06 (2 years ago)
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hi friends here's a good piece of information for everyone who is trying for visa to usa
Senate panel approves sweeping Immigration Bill NRI! Free Rang De DVD
Dt.29.03.2006.
Washington, Mar 28: A Senate committee today voted to create a pathway for some of the nation`s estimated 12 million illegal immigrants to gain citizenship without leaving the country, and to allow additional foreign workers to enter the United States temporarily to work under a program that would allow some to become citizens. With its votes, the Senate Judiciary Committee sided with advocates of liberalized immigration rules and moved the Senate closer toward a confrontation with the House. A vocal faction of Republicans, in the House and throughout the party, believes that illegal immigrants are lawbreakers who should not be rewarded with citizenship, and that a guest worker program would only draw more undocumented workers to the country. With its 12-6 vote, the Senate panel moved a sweeping overhaul of immigration laws to the Senate floor, where debate is expected to begin Tuesday. The House passed its version of an immigration law overhaul last year, focusing largely on tightening security at the border and on toughening enforcement of immigration laws. It did not include a guest worker plan. The Senate committee also eliminated a proposal that would have made it a felony to offer assistance to illegal immigrants other than in emergencies. That measure had been denounced by humanitarian groups and some church leaders, including Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles, who had said he would instruct his priests to defy it. The proposal could be revived by the full Senate. The Senate committee vote marked a victory for immigrant advocates and in part for President Bush, who has urged Congress for two years to create a temporary worker plan, but has argued against allowing those immigrants to gain citizenship. The Senate vote was unusual because the panel, led by Republicans, approved the legislation even though a majority of its Republican members voted against it. Supporters of the bill hailed it as a comprehensive effort that also includes measures to improve border security and interior enforcement, adding technology and border agents. "What has passed is much tougher enforcement and a way to take the 12 million out of the shadows," said Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), referring to those who are in the country illegally. Brownback was one of the few Republicans who voted for the bill. "I think we have produced a bill that is the product of serious debate," said Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.), chairman of the judiciary panel. Looking forward to action on the Senate floor, Brownback said lawmakers were headed for "a difficult and visceral debate." One opponent on the committee, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), said: "I voted against this committee bill because it rewards illegal immigrants and will be considered an amnesty by Americans. It will encourage further disrespect for our laws and will undercut our efforts to shore up homeland security. There is a better way to address this national security concern, and several of those who voted for the committee bill - including the chairman - did so with reservations." It was not immediately clear what legislation the Senate will debate when it meets Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) has proposed his own immigration bill, which does not include a guest worker plan and stresses border security and improved enforcement of immigration law. Frist had said earlier that the Senate would consider the bill produced by the Senate Judiciary Committee if Specter could lead his panel to a final proposal by tonight. Congressional aides said it was unclear which legislation would be taken to the Senate floor. Senators on the committee warned that their bill must be considered. "It`s incumbent on the majority leader to take this bill to the floor," said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), co-sponsor of a bill with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) that strongly influenced the committee`s final product.
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