Illegal Immigration

In the last 2 years, the federal government has spent billions on manpower and patrols to stop the flow of illegals.  And late last week, an announcement came that Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Senate have reached an agreement on a bill that would give legal status to millions of people.  The legislation would tighten the borders; all 12 million-plus illegal immigrants could stay, and they'd have to learn English and pay a 5000-dollar fine for having entered illegally.  Anyone who wants to become a US citizen would have to wait between 8 and 13-years behind those who've already applied... but they would be allowed to live and work here while they wait.       

Local congressman Zach Wamp doesn't like the plan...he says it still amounts to amnesty.“'I’m going to vote against and I want the people to know I'm going to vote against it. What it's going to do is increase immigration overall and it's going to cost us a ton of money it's going to be very bureaucratic, problematic, it's not even going to work well.”Congressman Wamp knows that solving the problem of illegal immigration is not an easy task, and that's why many state governments are also getting involved....trying to pass new laws to help solve the problem.      

In Tennessee, lawmakers look to get rid of the state's drivers certificate program, and make people show documentation to get a license.      There is also a bill to give highway patrol troopers federal training to enforce the nation's immigration laws here at home.     And, they take on legislation to require some businesses to identify if a person is legal, before they are hired.State Senator Bo Watson of Hixson says, “there is an appropriate process by which one achieves their citizenship for their legal immigration status, and we would just like everyone to play by the same rules."     Tennessee lawmakers are trying to take some of the guesswork out of the equation by doing their part....but most of the work will ultimately be up to the federal government.     

U.S. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee is also against the latest federal immigration compromise. “Please,” Corker told fellow lawmakers, “please ask our other senators to join me with caution.”     The latest national compromise has a long way to go before becoming law.     The debate is expected to get heated in Congress, with some Democratic leaders already expressing concern.     But it does set the stage for a possible solution for this long battle. Marisol Jimenez of La Paz de Dios hopes people will give immigrants a chance.  “The majority of the families that I have known, don't want a free ride. They are here to work hard, and they are here to be productive”    Congressman Zach Wamp hopes for a solution soon, but he says he will stand his ground. "If comprehensive means amnesty for people, automatic citizenship even if you came here illegally, we are going to vote against it."