US senators and the White House have hammered out a bipartisan plan that would provide about 12 million illegal immigrants, including some 3,00,000 Indians.
WASHINGTON: US senators and the White House have hammered out a bipartisan plan that would provide about 12 million illegal immigrants, including some 3,00,000 Indians, a path to citizenship.
President George W Bush, who has made immigration reform as one of his top priorities since Democrats won control of Congress, signalled his support for the plan that would rewrite the entire legal immigration system to favour those with key work skills.
“Our immigration system is badly in need of reform,” Bush said urging passage of the immigration bill. “This proposal delivers an immigration system that is secure, productive, orderly and fair. The plan would bring undocumented workers already in this country out of the shadows without amnesty and without animosity. It would require workers to pay a meaningful penalty, learn English, pay their taxes, and pass a background check before they can be considered for legalised status. If they achieve this legalised status and decide they want to apply for a green card, they must return home to file an application in order to get in line behind all of those who have played by the rules and followed the law,” he said.
Illegal immigrants would come forward and receive probationary status while the government continues to build fencing and vehicle barriers on the border and institutes better checks to make sure employers are hiring legal workers.
A Democratic aide said that under the deal more than 50 per cent of green cards still would go to spouses and non-adult children of immigrants. Only about 30 per cent of the new green cards would be subject to a new merit-based system. The deal didn’t thrill either side, but both sides said it is the only chance for a bill to pass.
“This plan isn’t perfect but it is a strong agreement and a good solution,” said Senator Edward Kennedy noting that it takes into account family ties, refugees who need asylum, and the demand for different types of jobs, both low and high skilled.
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