A group of democratic Congressmen led by representative Luis Gutierrez, Illinois, presented yesterday the first draft law on immigration reform of the current legislature. Thus, it renewed hopes for a possible legalization for millions of undocumented immigrants in southern Florida and the rest of the country.
However, the prospects for adoption at the plenary session of Congress are as uncertain as before. Yet, the issue of the immigration reform is very important for the nation.
The legislature envisions permanent residency and eventual citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have been present in the United States since December 15 of 2009. The undocumented immigrants would be encouraged to register with the U.S. Government in exchange for a possible permanent residence and eventual citizenship.
Certain immigrants, who are currently in the process of deportation or have received orders from the Migration Authorities to leave the country, could request legalization under Gutierrez's immigration reform proposal.
Under this immigration reform legislature the undocumented immigrants will only pay a fine of $500 dollars. This is much less than the thousands of dollars referred to in previous proposals. However, the applicants should demonstrated that they have no criminal record.
If approved, applicants will receive a U.S. visa for six years. Then, it would be eventually replaced by a green card for a permanent residence.
Gutierrez plan also incorporates clauses of the DREAM Act. This is a separate proposal made a few months ago that would give green cards of undocumented parents who are in school and have arrived in the country when they were minors.
While Gutierrez presented his plan at a press conference at the Capitol, activists who defend undocumented immigrants in Miami and other American cities Intensified Their efforts to convince Legislators and management to make the immigration reform a national priority.
According to Spanish language El Nuevo Herald news portal several groups in the South Florida are organizing press conferences, young student March to Washington and an indefinite fasting in January. These would be the initial steps of immigration activists campaigning to promote immigration reform at the local, state and national level.
Similar immigration reform bills have not succeeded in the past. The failures were due to the opposition from the other side of the isle. It is hard to say if this bill will succeed this time. However, two things are very clear. First is that the country does need to deal with the issue of immigration and the reform is long overdue. The second is that when the debate starts on the immigration bill, it will be as hot as the one on health care.
Written by Armen Hareyan
Source: Ultimas Noticias
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