David Vitter: “In that context, one obvious question is: How does that amnesty provision compare to what is in this 2007 bill? I think…”

“In that context, one obvious question is: How does that amnesty provision compare to what is in this 2007 bill? I think if you go down the requirements of the 1986 law and the requirements of this bill before us, you will see they are disturbingly familiar. In 1986, how do you gain temporary residence status? Continuous unlawful residence in the United States since before January 1, 1982. Fees: a $185 fee for the principal applicant, $50 fee for each child, a $420 family cap. You have to meet certain admissibility criteria: 18-month residency period, English language and civics requirement. Those are the basic requirements under that 1986 law. Let's compare it to what is in this bill, which is very similar. The dollar amount fees are higher, more significant, but in terms of the nature of the requirements in this bill, they are disturbingly similar: physically present and employed in the United States since a certain date--January 1, 2007; $1,000 penalty and a $1,500 processing fee; meet admissibility criteria; background check; English language basic requirement, et cetera--the exact same type of requirements under the Z visa provisions of this bill, as well as the 1986 law, which 'Black's Law Dictionary' itself labels amnesty.”