Recent Bi-Partisan Effort at Immigration Reform
Author: Immigration Attorney Alena Shautsova
A bi-partisan group of Senators consisting of four Democrats and four Republicans recently released a plan for comprehensive immigration reform to be used as a springboard for legislation that fills in the details. The group consisted of the following: Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Jeff Flake (R-AZ). Some highlights of the "Bipartisan Framework for Immigration Reform" report include four basic legislative plans:
- Plan for a tough but fair path to citizenship contingent upon securing border and tracking whether legal immigrants have left the country
- Reform that recognizes importance of characteristics that help build the economy and strengthen families
- Effective employment verification that prevents identity theft and hiring of future unauthorized workers
- An improved process for admitting workers who serve our nation's workforce needs while protecting all workers
Other aspects of the immigration reform included giving legal immigrants priority over undocumented immigrants for receiving permanent resident status, strengthening prohibitions against racial profiling, requiring those here illegally to register with the government and offering a path to permanent residency that requires paying back taxes and fines and makes those with serious criminal status ineligible and subject to deportation. The proposal also emphasizes a basic plan to attract immigrants who are the world's best and brightest.
President Obama stated that if Congress does not move forward in a timely fashion with its immigration reform proposals, the White House plans to draft a proposal.
If dealing with immigration issues, it is important to work with a New York immigration lawyer who stays current with changes in the law and government policies. Get legal help and protect your rights.