This is the White House on the facts and myths of Immigration Reform:  Ten Issues. 

This is the Immigration Reform Bill (content being continuously updated, we're told) that will be offered for debate on Monday.

UPDATE:  TruthLaidBear has an exceptional reference to the legislation.

Observations and reactions (updated from my previous rant) ....  Forgive my brashness.  I'm eligible to draw my own Social Security benefits in a few months, and I'm a bit jaded about what I'm hearing about this "reform" our Senators will be debating.

Do I want to see 12-20 million illegal immigrants immediately deported?  No.  That's both unrealistic and non-productive.  I want those who want to become legal citizens and/or immigrants to have the option.

Do I respect and want our nation to remain fundamentally "open door" concerning immigration.  Of course.  I just want the cracks and chinks in the windows, walls and foundation closed. 

Do I want the children of illegal immigrants to have access to food stamps, education and medical care?  Of course.  I just want the adult illegal immigrants to carry their fair share in paying for these services. 

1.  I've never been a fan of backroom politics.  Most of us who believe that governance should be open also respect the concept of "Sunshine Laws" -- Especially when Teddy Kennedy is working the backroom.

2.  Those of us who've been around a while remember Teddy Kennedy personally (the low-life drunken sleaze-ball who evaded any responsibility for recklessly driving a helpless woman off a bridge and leaving her to die in a watery grave) and politically (grandfather of the welfare state we're still paying for -- which funneled trillions of tax dollars into entitlement programs in the 60's and 70's). 

This time, with George Bush literally opening the floodgates, Kennedy is preparing to drown America again. 

3.   Social Security benefits (including Disability Income):  There is absolutely NO way an illegal immigrant should be allowed by receive benefits earned via a stolen social security number.  I don't care how much they have allegedly "contributed" to the SS system .... That is theft -- of benefits, of money and personal identity.  

4.  Z visa:  I support an alternate route to legal citizenship for illegal immigrants currently in this country, BUT those who apply (for citizenship, a worker's permit and/or a student visa) must exit the country (within a designated period of time) and re-enter legally under any classification (citizenship, temporary worker, student, etc.) they deem desirable.  And for which they qualify. 

The sooner illegal immigrants apply for Z visas, the sooner their application can be processed.   And those who delay or refuse to sign up will simply go to the back into the line  ....

5.  The Fence:  It must be built before and without any "concurrent" provisions for immigration reform or "amnesty."  (If Americans don't want the job -- hire immigrants under legitimate worker permits.)  Concurrently with construction -- sufficient personnel (administrators, border patrols/electronic monitoring systems, local agencies, etc. -- MUST be employed.

6.  Employment Accountability:  The first administrative action should be to give every American employer a time-frame during which to verify and report all illegal immigrants currently employed -- before any "concurrent" provisions for immigration reform or "amnesty."

Want to boost our military?  Offer illegal immigrants the option of a viable "shortcut" to citizenship by serving (successfully) in the military for 8 years ....

7.  Tax out-of-country money transfers:  Immediately begin taxing all transfers of U.S. funds (wire, electronic, money orders, checks, etc.).  This will at least recoup a portion of the billions of dollars that are earned in the U.S. and "lost" out of the country.  If the federal government does not want the tax -- give it to local governments to support health care and education costs ....

How you gonna monitor the transaction?   Create a "pay to" and "location" section  for all transfers, money orders, etc.  Criminalize the process .... Since "everyone" with a valid visa will now be eligible for a bank account, banks can deduct the tax from the sender's account!  (Or require Bank of America to handle all transfers -- after all, they passed on defaulted illegal immigrant accounts to customers.  Let them pay.)

8.  Social and medical services should require registration as defined in #6.  And yes --- require recipients to become fluent in English.

9.  Driver's license (and insurance), bank/savings accounts (to include those with work permits), real estate ownership (for citizens only) should not be permitted without proof of legal visa status and/or citizenship status, including but not limited to a social security number -- and should be issued only for the duration of the current visa. 

Going to be here on a 2-yr work visa?  Buy a car that can be paid for within two years ..... Want to open a bank account?   Sure, but it will be closed in two years.  Want to send money "home" every month?  Fine.  But the funds will be taxed. 

Here on a student visa and want to drop out of school?  Fine.  Your school will report you to the authorities and your bank account will be closed.  When authorities find you, you will be deported.

10.  Federal and state/local law enforcement officials must be required to verify and confine illegal immigrants who violate criminal laws and (post- prosecution/imprisonment for the crime) process them for deportation.

No -- there is no way that 12-20 million illegal immigrants could or would be deported immediately!   That should not  be the purpose (from my perspective) of reforming immigration laws.  The purpose should be three-fold: to secure our borders and protect all citizenry, to improve the process of incorporating legitimate immigrants into our society, and to ensure  economic accountability from the millions of illegal immigrants who "take without contributing" to our national tax base. 

This is the gist of my opposition to this allegedly bipartisan "amnesty-by-any-other-name-is-still-amnesty" legislation.   Until someone -- anyone -- convinces me that the bill to be presented to the Senate tomorrow is anything else than amnesty --- I will not support it and will do everything in my power to encourage it's defeat.