2006 Immigration Reform Bill
Senate Bill on Immigration Reform
2006 Immigration Reform Bill – Historic news from the U.S. Senate
 We have had some historic news from the Senate this week with the passing of a comprehensive 2006 immigration reform bill. In fact Senate Bill 2611, or the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, if passed as it is, would represent the most dramatic change in immigration law in 80 years. Over the next 20 years, an estimated 103 million people could migrate to the United States; fully one third of the current population of the United States. But, our listeners need to be aware that this is only the Senate’s version of the proposed law at this point. The next step is for the Senate and House of Representatives to work out a compromise, and as you know, the House version is much tougher.
Broadcast Date May 26, 2006
Comprehenve Immigration Reform
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We do need to be cautious here knowing that maintaining the good provisions of the Senate’s bill may not make the final cut. And, we have to all remember the extreme “Enforcement Only” house bill that all but eliminated any hope of legalization and comprehensive immigration reform back in December of 2005. The real fear is that the House may not retreat from their strict position.
But, the political climate is changing somewhat. For the first time, I can see hope that there will be a workable compromise that both provides for a path to legalization for many undocumented aliens currently in the United States and the reasonable enforcement provisions the House wants to keep. But a lot of work and compromising will no doubt be needed to pass an immigration reform act we can all live with.
One of the provisions of the Senate’s bill that I like most is the creation of a path to legalization for undocumented aliens who have been present in the US for at least 5 years before April 5, 2006. For these aliens who are eligible they will be able to obtain work authorization for 6 years and eventually permanent residence—a green card—and then after 5 years be eligible to apply for US citizenship.
However, don’t for get that they must pay a fine of $2000 and pass an English and civics test. They must also undergo a criminal background test.
Many undocumented aliens have not been here for 5 years, fortunately as it stands now, the Senate comprehensive 2006 immigration reform bill provides that if a person has been in the United States for less than 5 years, but more than two years, that person has 3 years to leave the United States and touch base with his home country. The important point to realize here is that it would be anticipated that the trip to the home country would be only for a brief time, because spouses and children would not be expected to go back, AND, the immigrant would apply for readmission even before he went back.
Another great provision worth discussing here is for undocumented alien high school students who entered the U.S. before age16 and are present for five years prior to the enactment date of the Act. These young men and women may then be eligible for a 6 year conditional status if they graduate from High School or earn a GED. During the six year conditional status period if they complete two years of college, earn a college degree or serve in the Armed Forces, the conditional status will be converted to permanent residence–a green card. Immigration reform would be less than comprehensive if it had not included this class of aliens.
And there are also provisions for farm workers who performed at least 150 days of agricultural work within 24 months prior to December 31, 2005.
But again we need to let our listeners know that all of these Senate provisions we have discussed today are not yet law. We all need to work hard to usher in a compromise- conference 2006 immigration reform bill with the House of Representatives to fashion a law that is going to protect our borders and at the same time be humane and just.
Please listen in for more broadcasts about the comprehensive 2006 immigration reform bill.
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