Immigration Bill

An apparent compromise bill on immigration is being discussed in the Senate, creating a 3 tier system for classifying illegals based on the length of time they have been in the country. Under 2 years have to leave immediately and will be charges with a felony if caught in the country more than once illegally.

The middle group are those who have been in the US between two and five years. They are required to go to one of 16 entry ports and declare themselves, then will be allowed to return to the residences with a possible 11 year path towards citizenship after paying fines and fulfilling other conditions.

Those in the US for more than 5 years will be immediately declared guest workers and allowed to stay with the possibility of applying for citizenship as the mid-tier. The bill appears likely to pass with some opposition, and of course would have to be reconciled with the House bill passed late last year, which is quite a bit more restrictive.

I have yet to see what the border enforcement provisions are, and will withhold judgement until I see them. I think I can live with this one IF the border enforcement and employer provisions are tightened and enforced.