Reading between the lines: A deal on immigration reform appears to be done.

[grantcart]

Over the last 48 hours a number of completely unconnected events on the immigration front that lead me to believe that a deal has basically been done.

First the events:

Gang of 8 continues talks, with Senators visiting the border

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57577317/with-deal-in-sight-gang-of-8-continues-immigration-talks/

Bipartisan senators working on a broad immigration overhaul are nearing agreement on a process for the roughly 11 million illegal immigrants currently in the United States to legalize their status and possibly achieve citizenship. While aides caution that details are still being worked out, and nothing is final until the language is drafted by staff and members sign off, the broad framework for legalization is becoming clear.


A senior congressional aide with knowledge of the details says illegal immigrants wanting a work permit that would legalize their status would first have to come forward, register with the government and pass a criminal background check. While they would pay a processing fee of around $500, it's possible they would not have to pay a fine until they renew their work permit after several years. That fine would be at least $1,000.


Likely after 10 years, the immigrant would be eligible to apply for a green card if they would like. Negotiators are still discussing whether there would be a fine at this stage. If the immigrant receives that green card, they would then be eligible to apply for citizenship.

Now Labor and Business agrees on 'future flow'.

Then Senator Flake appears on Meet the Press and, much to my surprise, speaks rationally about border security. Rather than creating some unreachable standard for 'border security' he speaks quite accurately that the Yuma Sector is under good control while the Tucson Sector needs some improvement. That is a very realistic and accurate statement. He also admits that just the fact that some people get through doesn't mean that the border isn't secure. This is a lot more rational than previous Republican positions.

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/meet-the-press/51386028/#51386028

And now just a few minutes ago there is an announcement that the Border Patrol is going to be exempted from sequestering and their Administratively Uncontrolled Overtime (AUO) and furlough is not going to be going in effect:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal_government/border-agency-postpones-furloughs-and-overtime-cuts-for-its-employees/2013/04/01/a29c5a76-9afd-11e2-9a79-eb5280c81c63_story.html?wprss=rss_politics

When you factor in the labor/business agreement on guest workers on Friday this really feels like it is now proceeding on a script.