Illegal No More

Both Democrats and Republicans in the U. S. Senate have met with Bush Administration officials to devise a plan to deal with millions of illegal immigrants living in America. They have come to an agreement that will now go to both the Senate and House of Representatives for a vote.

Illegal immigration is a hot topic in the United States. In 1996, Dr. Donald Huddle, a Rice University economics professor, released a report estimating what governments in America spend for illegal immigrants. At the time of the study, he calculated that American taxpayers were spending $24 billion each year for illegal immigrants and their families. Of that money, close to $6 billion was for educational system alone. It is estimated that the figure has now doubled. United States citizens simply cannot afford to foot the bill anymore. Politicians have been skirting the issue for years while demonstrators from both sides raise their voices. Who yelled the loudest?

President Bush told lawmakers that he wanted an immigration bill by the end of the summer. Senior Senators met with Bush Administration representatives behind close doors to hammer out what may be a highly contested plan. Senator Arlen Specter, R-PA., said, "We have required that the undocumented immigrants earn their right to citizenship. It is not amnesty. This will restore the rule of law. Without legislation we will have anarchy." Despite the Senator's claim, critics are comparing this to the amnesty program put into place by President Ronald Regan in the 1980s. Many are asking why the laws were ignored in the first place.

The measure would create separate programs for workers. One would be for agriculture and another to bring highly skilled labor into the American market. Illegal immigrants can immediately apply for a probationary card to grant them temporary legal status to live and work in the United States.

At the same time, the plan pledges to improve border security, set in place high-tech measures to enforce the laws, and develop a new temporary worker program. The temporary guest worker program would not go into affect until measures are in place to ensure border security.

Illegal immigrants will be given a chance to apply for a "Z Visa" and will have to pay fines of $5,000. Within eight to thirteen years, they could become permanent residents. Family heads would have to return to their home countries before permanent resident status would be granted.

High-tech workers will be identified through a priority system. Points will be awarded based upon education and skill, and green cards would be issued to those with the highest point values. The current system places priority on family members. The chance is likely to meet resistance.

Bill information is not yet available, and Senate contacts say that they are still tweaking the language. The American public should have its first view of the proposed legislation late tonight or tomorrow. Once the bill is made public, citizens are urged to call their Congressmen/women and Senators with questions and comments.