Salem-News.com Immigration articles Page 21

Bush Urges Compromise on Immigration Bill

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - President Bush pressed Congress on Thursday to pass a comprehensive immigration bill that provides a chance at citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants already in the country.

"The difficulty of this task is no excuse for avoiding it," he said.

Bush's speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was intended to build momentum for Senate and House negotiators to resolve passionate disputes and produce a compromise. The two houses passed sharply different versions of the legislation.

The House bill generally is limited to border enforcement and cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants. The Senate version would tighten border security, offer a guest worker program to bring in new foreign workers and provide a chance at citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants already in the country.

Senate Advances Sweeping Immigration Bill

Oregon's two U-S Senators voted with the majority to limit debate on election-year immigration legislation, clearing the way for possible final passage this week.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to limit debate on election-year immigration legislation, clearing the way for final passage later this week of a bill that calls for tougher border security as well as an eventual chance at citizenship for millions of men and women in the country illegally.

The vote to advance the measure was 73-25, 13 more than the 60 needed.

Despite the controversy surrounding the bill, the outcome was not a surprise. Even some of the bill's opponents said they were satisfied they had been given ample opportunity over past week to try and give the bill a more conservative cast.

Comments Sought on Bush`s Proposal to Put Guard Troops Along U.S.-Mexico Border

(SALEM) - Salem-News.com is seeking comments on President Bush`s proposal to place thousands of in many cases, battle weary National Guard soldiers on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Bush Weighs Deploying Guard to U.S. Border

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - President Bush, trying to build momentum for an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws, is considering plans to shore up the Mexican border with National Guard troops paid for by the federal government, according to senior administration officials.

One defense official said military leaders believe the number of troops required could range from 3,500 to 10,000, depending on the final plan. Another administration official cautioned that the 10,000 figure was too high.

The officials insisted on anonymity since no decision has been announced.

The president was expected to reveal his plans in an address Monday at 8:00 PM EDT. It will be the first time he has used the Oval Office for a domestic policy speech ” a gesture intended to underscore the importance he places on the divisive immigration issue.

The key questions Friday included how many National Guard troops might be deployed, for how long and at what cost to taxpayers ”

Oh Say, Can You See? Si.

(MIAMI AP) - Immigrants say they want to honor their new country in their native language.

Their critics say singing the U-S national anthem in Spanish is an insult.

The track "Nuestro Himno" (NWAY'-stroh EEM'-noh) is out today, featuring artists including Wyclef Jean (zhahn), hip-hop's Pitbull and Puerto Rican singers Carlos Ponce and Olga Tanon.

10,000 Expected to Attend Rally Monday

(SALEM) - Organizers of a pro-immigration rally planned at the state capitol Monday say they expect 10,000 people to attend the event. Local police agencies are working with the groups planning the event and another peaceful demonstration is expected.

The rally happens Monday, May 1st on the capitol grounds along Court Street in Salem. The highly publicized event begins with the rally in front of the Capitol Building at 11:00 AM, followed by a march through some area city streets that is scheduled to begin about 1:30 PM.

Political Firestorm Brewing Over Student Anti-Immigration Reform Protests

State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo`s statement on the student protests has Republican legislators mad, and they now want to stop a special $42 Million allocation for kids and schools announced earlier this week.

(SALEM) - Hundreds of Portland-area students held a walkout and protest rally on Friday in downtown Portland.

On Thursday, an estimated 700 high and middle school students from Woodburn, Gervais, and Silverton protested along Highway 214 near I-5 before rallying in a parking lot.

In Salem, an estimated 1,000 high and middle school students protested on the steps of the Oregon State on Monday...

Hundreds of Salem-Keizer Students Face Disciplinary Action

HEAR THIS STORY AND MORE SALEM-AREA NEWS FROM SALEM-NEWS.COM`S KEVIN HAYS ON NEWSRADIO 1190 KEX

(SALEM) - Hundreds, possibly as many as one thousand Salem-Keizer high and middle school students will face disciplinary action for participating in Monday`s immigration reform rally at the Oregon State Capitol.

District spokesman Jay Remy says they will NOT give students who participated any special treatment.

Principals will follow the districts policy on truancy, or unexcused absences and they will face either in-school detention, or suspension from school based on the child`s school record Remy said.

At South Salem and McNary high schools, administrators say they urged students not to participate.

Student Rally at State Capitol

Reflecting the nature of the capitol city they live in, politically active local students are marched to the capitol to protest a Wisconsin Republican senator's move to make illegal immigration a felony crime.

(SALEM) - Hundreds of students from McKay, North Salem, South Salem, McNary and West Salem High Schools joined together Monday on the steps of the Oregon state capitol to protest a bill by the U.S. House cracking down on illegal immigration.

The district reminds parents that students are participating in the event can be cited for truancy.

McNary High School Assistant Prinicpal Jay Crystal, says students at his who participate in the rally will face either detention or suspension at the school.

Op-Ed Anti-Immigration Movement a Smokescreen Against Bigger Problems

(SALEM) - A small boy attending the immigration rally at the state capitol Sunday, held up a sign that simply said, `Please don`t separate me from my family- Jordan.` Honestly, I am appalled that the U.S. government and its citizens could place somebody like Jordan in a position like that. It goes against the grain of everything that is moral and right.

It is my Christian faith that tells me kids should not be separated from their parents, that`s something the Nazi`s did. But here we are in the modern world, where we are supposed to advance as a species, and many of the immigrant bashers are claiming to be Christians too. That puzzles me, Christ loved everyone and he wanted people to help others and love them, not keep them banished.