Information about the vote from special interest groups and other information providers in our Report Cards:
AFL-CIO
IMMIGRATION/LEGALIZATION PROGRAM.
The comprehensive immigration reform bill included a complicated, three-tier plan to grant legal status to the millions of undocumented workers currently in the United States by separating undocumented immigrants into three groups based on how long they have lived and worked here. Each group would face different criteria to earn permanent resident status. The complexity and uncertainty of the proposal would likely mean that many undocumented workers would not participate. Putting undocumented workers in a legal status and offering them protection under the law is the best way to ensure that all workers are able to assert their rights against unscrupulous employers. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) offered an amendment to simplify the process and to allow any undocumented worker who was in the country as of Jan.1, 2006, to qualify for legal status and a path to permanent residency. The amendment failed.National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Feinstein Amdt. No. 4087; "Orange card" amendment.
This amendment would have replaced the cumbersome "three-tiered" system for earned legalization with one process for the entire undocumented population (provided they meet requirements such as learning English, paying taxes, etc.). It would thereby streamline administration of the program and help keep families together.NumbersUSA Action
Make two million illegal aliens eligible for amnesty.
The Feinstein Amendment (SA 4087) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 would have made an additional two million illegal aliens eligible for amnesty by replacing the bill's "earned legalization" amnesty and Deferred Mandatory Departure provisions with a one-tiered scheme in which all aliens illegally present in the United States on or before January 1, 2006, are granted amnesty and an "orange card" (instead of the normal "green card" that lawful permanent residents are issued) if they are otherwise admissible. The, after a 6-8 year period, orange card holders are allowed to adjust to Lawful Permanent Resident status if they pay a $2,000 fine. The Feinstein Amendment failed.