Washington

McCain, Kennedy would fine, not deport, entrants

WASHINGTON - Sens. John McCain and Edward M. Kennedy are putting together an immigration bill that would subject illegal immigrants to fines, but allow them to remain in the United States and earn a chance to apply for permanent residency. The measure is an alternative to President Bush's guest worker proposal sought by employers but opposed by many conservatives. Speaking Thursday at the Naval Academy, McCain, R-Ariz., said he and Kennedy, D-Mass., hoped to introduce their legislation next week. Under their proposal, illegal immigrants would get three-year visas that could be renewed once. After completing six years of work, the immigrants would be eligible to "get in the back of the line" to apply for permanent legal residency, McCain said. Deporting the 10 million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the country is not practical, McCain told midshipmen during a guest lecture in Annapolis, Md. "There are some who say send them back to their countries," McCain said. "It's not possible. It's not going to happen." Last year, Bush urged a program that would be open to illegal immigrants and other foreigners. Bush supports giving workers legal status for three-year renewable periods, but wants them to return to their home countries when their job is done. The White House never submitted a written proposal to Congress. Other plans, including one proposed by Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., support allowing immigrants to apply for legal permanent residency after a period of work. A spokesman for Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, said the McCain-Kennedy plan amounts to a "work and stay" program. Cornyn "prefers a work and return program, as does the president," said his spokesman, Don Stewart, adding that the Texas Republican and Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., are also working on an immigration proposal they hope to have ready in about two months. Immigrant advocates in Tucson aren't thrilled by any of the plans, but said they were inclined to favor McCain's over Cornyn's - with certain conditions. Kat Rodriguez, an organizer for Derechos Humanos, said that if the organization had to choose it would favor a program that allows workers to remain in the country legally and offers workplace protections. Cornyn's proposal has the potential for widespread worker abuse, Rodriguez said, "allowing migrants to come, milk them out of their labor and allowing them no path to citizenship." Jennifer Allen, executive director of Border Action Network, said her immigrant-rights group would applaud any immigration reform proposal that incorporates access to legalization, the reunification of family members and human-rights protection on the border. She and other group representatives hope to meet with Kyl and McCain in the nation's capital next week when they travel to push their agenda with members of Congress.