Why did congress vote down an amendment to bar foreign criminals from legal status?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070607/ap_on_go_co/immigration_congress

The Senate voted 51-46 to reject a proposal by Sen. John Cornyn (news, bio, voting record), R-Texas, to bar criminals — including those ordered by judges to be deported — from gaining legal status. Democrats siphoned support from Cornyn's proposal by winning adoption, 66-32, of a rival version that would bar a more limited set of criminals, including certain gang members and sex offenders, from gaining legalization.

Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record), R-Ariz., alone among his party's presidential aspirants in backing the immigration measure, opposed Cornyn's bid and backed the Democratic alternative offered by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.

Dojoman and Rachel, I think you need to re-read the question. If they rejected an amendment to BAR criminals, then they're seeking to give legal status to more criminals.

Answer 1

because if they voted for that bill then congress would be the only criminals here and they thought that we would be able to deport the real crimanals CONGRESS.

Answer 2

i think of it incredibly is their way of transforming into a clean Democrat balloting base... I even have an remark. In July, Obama is on checklist of exclaiming there are 40 seven million uninsured in u.s.. final night, there have been in common terms 30 million uninsured. What got here approximately to the 17 million? i think of they're exaggerating the uninsured numbers.. it incredibly is probable nearer to 10-15 million, with 4 million picking to no longer purchase coverage.

Answer 3

To me they are ALL criminals if they are illegal and in no way should they be rewarded by giving them legal status to appease the fat cat's of big corporations with limitless cheap labor! I can't say enough bad about McCain, but I think he is Dred (intended) Kennedy's blow-up dolly.

Answer 4

Because every politician is a money hungry business person. That no longer wish to do anything for the people they are sworn to serve. All elections are a farst they mean nothing and they only are numbers put up by the Media and really aren't accurate numbers of how people really feel in our country.

Answer 5

Because of the people that falsefied documents to stay here. They would have been grouped in with the rest of the criminals. Couldn't have that now could we? Even though they are.

Answer 6

Yes anything that is considered a violent offender will be barred from a visa.I guess those jay walkers and the ones who got picked up on raids for being illegal and working are probably going to death row for their offenses huh?Reality check,they are using what is called discretion in law.Non violent offenders don't constitute banning or punishment.

Answer 7

Immigration law already permits such people to be denied entry so the clause would be redundant.

In addition, you must consider how a foreigner becomes a felon. Perhaps his 'felony' mostly consisted of opposing a tyrranical government [surprise, there are a number in the world] and had nothing to do with cirmes of violence against individuals, etc.

Ah.

Answer 8

what do you mean, why? you WANT criminals from other countries to have legal status in this one?...and your second point is only one of many reasons why mccain will not be our next president...

Answer 9

Democrats want to give criminals the right to vote so they would pay them cash to vote for them, what do they care ? they are criminals

Answer 10

There's no acceptable answer to this question. Our elected representatives have completely lost touch with their duty to serve the electorate and uphold the laws of the land.