Senators, Bush reach deal on immigration proposal

The Bush Administration and a bipartisan group of senators including Pete Domenici, R-N.M., announced today a compromise on immigration reform they’ll try to sell to skeptical lawmakers next week.

The new plan includes the building of the border fence approved last year, and requires that a number of security measures be in place before reform of the system begins. It’s sure to be controversial and a tough sell, but Domenici, in a news release, said its’ the “best chance” to fix a broken system.

“The status quo is unacceptable and part of the reason this issue has divided the country. We cannot tolerate the situation as it stands,” Domenici said. “With this plan, we have tried to strike the right balance to secure our borders and restore order and do it in a way that is humane, legally sound and good for the country.”

The agreement is not yet in bill form, but debate on it will begin on Monday. Click here to read an in-depth summary of the plan.

Here’s a quick summary of the plan from Domenici’s office:

• It would require that border security measures be in place before immigration reform provisions take effect. 18,000 border patrol agents have to be hired, 370 miles of border fence and 200 miles of vehicle barriers must be installed, four unmanned aerial vehicles must be patrolling the border, 70 radar and camera towers must be operational, and 27,500 beds must be available to detain illegal immigrants.

• A new temporary worker “Y” visa would be created for foreign workers who have a job offer for which no U.S. worker is available. The visa would be valid for two-year periods, and a worker’s failure to depart at the end of a work period would subject him to criminal penalties and bar him from future participation in immigration programs.

• The plan’s attempt to deal with the 10-12 million undocumented workers in the United States does not amount to blanket amnesty or automatic citizenship. These workers would gain a probationary visa until border security measures are in effect, would have to pay a $1,000 fine for being in the United States illegally, and would have to undergo a criminal background check. After the border is secure, they could obtain a four-year “Z” visa to work, which is renewable. After eight years under a “Z” visa, workers would have the opportunity to leave the country to get at the back of the line for legal permanent resident status if they pay a $4,000 fine and learn English and U.S. civics. Their ability to obtain legal permanent resident status would be based on their job skills, education level, English proficiency and family ties to the United States, and if they obtain legal permanent resident status, after five additional years they would have the opportunity to take the U.S. citizenship test.

The last is perhaps the most controversial change proposed: An applicant for citizenship would be considered primarily on his or her work skills, whereas the current system is primarily based on familial ties.

This is sure to be a battle when Congress takes it up next week. Read more from the Associated Press by clicking here.