The New York Times reported today that the momentum to resolve our country’s growing immigration problem has picked up again in light of legislation introduced by Congressional Representative Luis V. Gutierrez, a Democrat from Illinois. His introduction of the bill is seen by many as the first skirmish in a battle that is expected to be long and drawn out.
President Obama has promised to work on this issue early next year. However, the passage of comprehensive immigration reform failed twice during former President Bush’s tenure in office due to a lack of consensus from Congress.
Representative Gutierrez, who is one of the president’s Latino supporters in Congress, said that he introduced the bill because of a growing impatience by the Latino voters, immigrant advocates, labor and religious groups, and Democratic lawmakers stating that immigration reform is just not happening fast enough.
Under Gutierrez’s bill, to gain legal status, undocumented immigrants already in the U.S. would have to prove that they have been working, pay a $500 fine, learn English, undergo a criminal background check, among other provisions once the specifics of the bill are worked out.
Unlike prior proposals in Congress, those individuals would not be required to return to their home countries before applying for legalization, a concept known as “touch and return.”
We must see whether or not this bill will make its way to the Congressional floor. However, Democrats in the Senate have said that Rep. Gutierrez’s bill was too liberal to pass as it was written.
Related posts:
Can the President Hold on to the Hispanic Voters? Immigration Reform Will Answer that Question.
DHS Official Says Immigration Reform Possible by Next Year
