A group of bipartisan senators is on Monday announcing an immigration reform plan that would provide a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants while also tightening border security.
Eight lawmakers – four of which are Democrats and four of which are Republicans – worked together on this legislation, which addresses issues they have tried to tackle for years. The plan will be unveiled the day before US President Barack Obama gives a speech on immigration in Nevada on Tuesday.
The proposed legislation would allow the approximately 11 million illegal immigrants to register with the government, pay a fine and receive probationary legal status to be able to find employment. This measure would reduce the number of employers illegally hiring immigrants, as well as protect undocumented foreigners from working for less than minimum wage.
Rather than fearing deportation, illegal immigrants could work towards eventual citizenship, even though they would have to “go to the end of the line” and apply for permanent status, reads the document drawn up by the senators.
Immigrants who obtain university degrees in science, math, technology or engineering would be awarded with green cards – an incentive that leads to higher education among immigrants and academic contributions to society.
“Let’s be very clear: having a pathway to earned legalization is an essential element. And I think that we are largely moving in that direction as an agreement,” said Sen. Robert Menendez, D-NJ, in an interview on ABC’s “The Week”.
The eight senators that will endorse these new principles on Monday are Democrats Dick Durbin of Illinois, Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Charles Schumer of New York, Michael Bennet of Colorado and Republicans John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Marco Rubio of Florida, and Jeff Flake of Arizona.
