Music is served … - Irish American News

January 2006 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 29An Immigrant’sMusingsFr. Michael LeonardConflicting Views onImmigration ReformOn November 17, the House HomelandSecurity Committee, under theleadership of Peter King (R-NY)passed a Border Enforcement only bill,which was supported by Republicansand Democrats. The new legislationauthorizes more funding for BorderPatrol agents, funds physical barriersand surveillance technology, andpromotes cross-border internationalagreements. The legislation’s nextstop is the House Judiciary Committee,whose chair, Rep. James Sensenbrenner(R-Wis.), has been working onhis own border security legislation.But members who favor a comprehensiveimmigration bill -- one thatincludes a guestworker plan -- arecomplaining that House leaders aretaking too narrow an approach byfocusing only on the borders andnot on other changes in immigrationpolicies.Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., is cosponsoringlegislation that includesa guestworker program that wouldallow workers to ultimately apply forpermanent citizenship. “Everyoneknows if you’re going to have enforcement,you have to have laws you canenforce,” Flake said. “I think [leaders]want to make a statement that we’redoing something because we haven’tgotten off the dime; they just want astatement bill.”In the Senate…The next day (November 18), abipartisan group of Senators officiallyintroduced S. 2075, the DREAM Actof 2005, giving new life to legislationthat has been in a holding pattern sincethe beginning of the year.The sponsors of the DREAM Actof 2005 are Richard Durbin (D-IL),Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and RichardLugar (R-IN). The DREAM Actpermits undocumented high schoolgraduates who immigrated to the U. S.as minors and who have lived in theU.S. for at least five years, to apply forlegal status, pursue a college educationor join the military and becomeU.S. citizens. It will become law ifpassed by both houses of Congressand signed by the President beforethe end of 2006.Meanwhile,The Chairman of the Senate JudiciaryCommittee, Senator ArlenSpecter, has circulated a draft of acompromise immigration bill thatdoes not include guest worker provisionsfavored by President Bush,but does favor dramatic increases inlegal immigration limits in the UnitedStates.In a letter to colleagues, Mr. Spectercalled his document “a discussiondraft intended to move the debate forwardin anticipation of the Senate takingup immigration reform early nextyear.” He added, “I do not necessarilyendorse every provision included.”Specter has agreed with a numberof his colleagues’ proposals (Cornyn/Kyl) including one to allow illegalaliens to return home and then re-enterthe U.S. on a path to citizenship.Senator Specter would increase thecap on family preference immigrantsby 254,000 a year, raise the cap onemployment-based visa by 150,000a year, “recapture” unused visas andexempt family members from caps aswell, thereby greatly increasing thenumber of green cards available.Senate aides said Mr. Specter’s draftserved as a marker to ensure that hiscommittee would play a role in shapingany legislation. By starting the debate,EXECUTIVE CLASS TOURSCO. GALWAY, IRELANDIrish Vacation SpecialistsPrivate Group Specials (FREE PLACES)Chauffeur Drive SpecialsGolf Specialswww.executivetours.iehe has made it harder for Senateleaders to take up on the floor a morerestrictive immigration bill that mightbe passed by the House, where conservativeopponents of the president’sproposal have a stronger hand.And, finally…At the end of November PresidentBush visited several Southwest statesto publicize his plan to solve the immigrationcrisis. He promoted whathe called a three-point plan, with thefirst point being the “prompt returnof every illegal entrant we catch onthe border, with no exceptions.” Thesecond, he said, is to correct “weakand unnecessary provisions in our immigrationlaws.” And the third: he saidhe and Congress would create a newtemporary guest-worker plan to matchwilling employers with workers whowill do jobs “Americans will not do.”Best WishesOn behalf of all at C.I.I.S I takethis opportunity to wish our readersand supporters a blessed New Year.It is our fervent prayer that 2006 willbring one and all every success. Wehope and pray especially that all ourundocumented brothers and sistersmay receive the long awaited anddesperately needed immigration lawchanges that would permit them toexperience all the benefits that thisgreat country has to offer.Should you have any comments,questions etc. please feel free tocontact me at 312-337-8445 Cell.773-677-5341 or E-mail: siochan@catholic.orgTheDooleybrothersfrom Irish Favorites to50’s & 60’s Rock N’ RollSolo to 5 PiecesParties • Festivals • WeddingsWe wish you the best in 2006from Joe, Jim, Mike and BillCome join us by a cozy turffire with a friend & a favoritebeverage at theFifth Province,IAHC, 4626 N. Knox,Chicago 9:15 pm-12:30amJAN 28 (SAT) & FEB. 10 (FRI)Road to Lisdoonvarna CDis available at Irish Import storesthroughout ChicagolandComplete listing on our Website:dooleybrothers.comLog on today for a “Dooleyized”musical experience! Vintagephotos - Venue schedule - Music708-366-9458dooleyinfo@dooleybrothers.comJack Hartman; the new president of the Irish Fellowship Club, andTerrence O’Brien; president of the Metropolitan Water ReclamationDistrict, enjoying the Irish Fellowship Club Christmas Luncheon.