By Eunice Moscoso | Monday, February 11, 2008, 02:19 PMHouse Democrats are crafting a “scaled-down” immigration reform measure despite the political minefields that surround the issue, the Roll Call newspaper reported Monday.It says that Hispanic members — including Rep. Joe Baca — are seeking five-year visas for illegal immigrants who pay fines and pass criminal background checks. Baca, a California Democrat chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.Baca said the prospects for a compromise package were discussed in high-level meetings that included Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, who chairs a key immigration subcommittee, Roll Call said.

The paper added: “It’s unclear if the behind-the-scenes discussions will actually result in a bill coming to the floor, but Democrats say drafts of legislation already have been written and are being vetted behind the scenes.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/immigration/entries/2008/02/11/paper_scaleddown_immigration_p.html

Ruthie
Minnesotans Seeking Immigration Reform
Independent Minnesota Minutemen
FIRE Coalition State Chapter
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