NEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2006 ▼ IMMIGRATION THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3A Bush urges fast action for new bill activ- buffer g the days. bf are yhawk BY SUZANNE GAMBOA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Those in the U.S. before the cutoff date, an overwhelming majority, could apply for green cards if they pay fines, back taxes and learn English. Among that group, those who had spent five years in the U.S. would get an easier path to citizenship, with newer arrivals facing more obstacles. The latest counterproposal to a bill by Sens. John M Cain, (R-Ariz), and Edward M. Kennedy, (D-Mass), would base the chance of citizenship for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. largely on whether or not they were here before a yet undetermined cutoff date. WASHINGTON — Conservative Republicans tweaked their alternative to a bipartisan guest worker proposal for illegal immigrants Wednesday as Democrats pressed for a vote that would put most of those in the U.S. illegally on a path to citizenship. President Bush urged swift action. Those who arrived illegally after the cutoff date would be viewed as living illegally and unlikely to qualify for citizenship while in the country. "There has to be some cutoff date. They would not have a status," said Sen. Sam Brownback, (R-Kan). Kennedy's and McCain's measure would put immigrants here before Jan. 7, 2004, on a path toward citizenship if they maintain jobs and meet the other conditions. Bush said the immigration bill should include a guest worker provision that allows illegal immigrants to remain in the United States to perform jobs that, he said, Americans will not perform. But he said the legislation should not include a provision that provides automatic citizenship. "I don't know that we're going to get a bill," said Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio). "It's tough." He called on the Senate "to come to a conclusion as quickly as possible and pass a comprehensive bill." The McCain-Kennedy bill has heavy Democratic backing and some Republican support. Democrats have rejected previous compromise offers and gave no immediate indication that they would endorse the latest one. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, blocked numerous attempts by Republicans on selected amendments. The House has passed a bill that would up border security by putting the military on the border, requiring employers to verify they've hired legal workers and make being in the country illegally a felony. Democrats need 60 votes to overcome objections from conservatives on the immigration bill approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee that is being pushed by Reid. The White House repeated President Bush's call for a temporary worker plan as a way to identify millions of illegal immigrants in the country. The penny, the nickel, the dime, the quarter Matt Goble, Lawrence junior, and Josh Raper, Wichita freshman, set out bottles for Pi Kappa Phi's "quarter races" Wednesday on Westcoo Beach. The event is part of the fraternity's Push America campaign to raise awareness of people with disabilities. Push America was founded by Pi Kappa Phi in 1977 to promote community service of its members and increase the quality of life for people with disabilities. Nicoletta Niosi/KANSAN No clear end for water lawsuit COURTS BY JOHN HANNA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS TOPEKA — Expenses associated with Kansas' lawsuits about water against Colorado and Nebraska aren't going to dry up anytime soon, Attorney General Phill Kline predicted Wednesday. Kline's office disclosed that it paid Montgomery & Andrews, a Santa Fe, N.M., law firm, almost $471,000 from December 2004 though the end of 2005 for handling matters related to the two lawsuits. "The water issue will never go away." Kline said during a news conference. Kansas sued Colorado in 1985 arguing that Colorado was violating an interstate compact by taking too much water from the Arkansas River before it flowed into the Sunflower State. The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Kansas in 1995, but the two states spent nearly a decade battling over what Colorado owed Kansas in damages. Last year, Colorado paid Kansas nearly $35 million, having already been told to reduce what it took from the Arkansas. Kansas sued Nebraska in 1998, accusing Nebraska of violating a compact governing water use from the Republican River. The states settled the case in 2002. But Kline said Kansas will still have legal expenses because it must monitor whether Colorado and Nebraska are complying with judicial orders or settlements. For example, last year, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources warned that Nebraska was taking too much water. Kline said some compliance issues are technical, involving where monitoring devices are placed and how they are calibrated to measure flow. THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS April 6,2006 ARE YOU A LEADER? DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEERISM? DO YOU WANT TO HELP FELLOW KU STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE? Apply to become an Alternative Breaks Core Apply to become an Alternative Member. Positions Available: Director (2). Winter Break Coordinator (2) Spring Break Coordinator (2). Weekend Break Coordinator (2) Public Relations Finance and Fundraising: Alternative Breaks sends more than 150 students to locations throughout the US to volunteer for non-profit agencies on our winter, spring, and weekend-break programs. Applications online at www.ku.edu/~albreaks Applications due to 428 Kansas Union on APRIL 14th Call for Artists for the F-WORD Artwalk Artists of all media needed for a progressive "woman artist/woman inspired" artwalk to be held April 28th. Submit digital images to: comstwomen@ku.edu Submission deadline is April 21st. sponsored by the Commission on the Status of Women (The F-Word is female/feminist) Student Senate Presidential/VP Debate April 10 at 6PM in the Kansas Room of the Kansas Union. One of the initial battles of the civil war began just south of Lawrence at the Blackjack Battlefield between John Brown (freestater) and Henry Clay Pate (proslavery). In preparation for its 150th Anniversary celebration this June, EARTH volunteers will be helping cut down overgrown vegetation and building foot trails. If you are interested in helping out, come at 10:30 a.m. on any Saturday to the entrance of the Kansas Union to travel to the site and volunteer. For more information, contact EARTH at earth@ku.edu or call 864-4073 Shades of Africa 4/7 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Stauffer-Flint Lawn Center for Community Outreach engaging students, communities Shades of Africa KU for Uganda is working with the African Students Association to put on Shades for Africa, a creative event to let students express what Africa means to them by painting on an enormous canvas outside. Stop by, grab a paintbrush, and take a minute to help create this provocative work of art. Questions? Contact kafight@gmail funded by: SENATE PAID FOR BY KU Filmworks Film Festival THEME: THIS IS THE END OBJECT: A TOWEL Held At: Oldfather Studios (located at 9th and Avalon, right off of Iowa) Guidelines: 1) Must be 10 minutes or less 2) Must demonstrate both the theme and object of the festival Rules: NO RULES Films Due By: Friday April 14th by 4:00 PM in Oldfather Studies at the front desk (DVD, MinIDV, VHS) Awards: Trophies are given to most original, viewers' choice, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place * Snacks and drinks will be provided at the screening for questions contact Taylor Slen (moviewsummerghotmail.com) April 23rd at 7:30 PM We are now hiring paid director positions for next year. CCO is in need of Co-Directors (2) Communications Director Financial Director Technology Director Deadline is April 24 for more information www.ku.edu/~cco KU Students for Life Bobby Schindler, Brother of Terri Schaivo Wednesday April 26th, 2006 7:30pm Kansas Union Ballroom Free Event, Part of Stand Up for Life Week Sponsored by KU Students for Life