Bush amnesty scheme trims border fence over 50%; other provisions

The WashTimes has more details from the White House illegal alien amnesty presentation:

Six months after approving a bill promising to build some 850 miles of fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, the Bush administration and Senate Republicans are now saying 370 miles is enough [...370 miles of fencing, 200 miles of vehicle barriers and 300 miles of electronic monitoring on the border...]

..."I drafted that bill. It says 'shall.' That's the same language we put in the border fence in San Diego," said Rep. Duncan Hunter, California Republican. "Doggone it, this is the law. Follow the law."

Michael Friel, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said the 370 miles is based on an assessment of how much fencing can be put into place by the end of 2008. CBP also expects to erect about 200 miles of vehicle barriers along the border, he said...

[other provisions include:]

* Beginning registration of illegal aliens six months after a bill passes, and giving them one year to register for the program, which puts them on "probation."

* Huge fines, including $2,000 assessed every three years during probation and $10,000 for a green card signifying legal permanent residency. Moving up the English requirements to take effect after three years of probation. The requirements now begin with a citizenship application.

* Barring many illegal aliens from collecting Social Security benefits based on work performed while illegal.

* Prohibiting future guest workers from bringing their families, as a way of making sure they don't put down roots and try to remain past their temporary work period...

Immigration2007a · Tue, 04/03/2007 - 08:49 · · Importance: 1