Pending Immigration Reform Bill Leads to Questions

After both Senate Democrats and Republicans agreed on an immigration bill that will make millions of illegal immigrants legal, there's been a mixed response. Mayor Bloomberg called the guest worker program, which would allow new immigrants to live and work in the U.S. for 2 years, a "feel good kind of law" because "nobody in their right mind is going to leave."

Another part of the Senate proposal is that illegal immigrants already in the country would have to leave the U.S. and go back to their native country and file for paperwork. And for families, that would mean the head of the household would have to leave - which might be difficult for the other members of the family to subsist without that income. Other New Yorkers are worried about what the immigration bill will do to the city's workforce of lower paid employees, like restaurant workers and nannies. Here's a summary of the bill's point from the Daily News:

- Illegal immigrants could obtain "Z visas" that would allow them to stay in the country.
- Heads of households would have to return to their home countries and reapply for proper visas.
- They would have to pay $1,500 fees and $5,000 fines to get on the path to permanent residency.
- Skills, education levels and job experience would weigh more heavily than family ties.
- A temporary worker program would be launched allowing people to enter the country for two years.
- The Border Patrol force would be doubled to 18,000 officers.
- The fence along the Mexican border would be greatly expanded.

Representative Joseph Crowley of Queens told the Daily News, "I do think there's a lot that needs to be tweaked on this to say the least. But it gives us a place to start from." And many lawmakers are trying to convince their parties to pass the bill, even though no one really likes it that much.

Photograph from the May 1 rally by Tien Mao

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By Jen Chung in News on May 19, 2007 2:01 PM

Comments [rss]

mark

THERE NEEDS TO FAIRNESS. THEY COME HERE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR KIDS AND TO WORK DESPIT LOW WAGES.

ON THE OTHER HAND WE (AMERICANS) HAVE OVER A NUMBER OF DECADES BEEN DECIEVED BY AMNESTEE BILLS WITH THE PROMIS OF BETTER INFORCEMENT, OR OTHER TYPES OF PROMISES.

I NO LONGER BELIEVE ANYONE IN WASHINGTON ON THIS ISSUE. IT IS A VERY COMPLEX ISSUE THAT I COULD WRIT ABOUT ALL NIGHT, BUT I WILL SUMMERIZE THAT I ASK THAT THERE BE ACCOUNTABILITY TO SMALLER BILLS SHOWING ENFORCEMENT BEFORE ONE MORE PERSON BECOME A CITIZEN.

THIS MAY SEEM HARSH OR TOO SIMPLISTIC, BUT I BELIEVE ACCOUNTABILITY IS WHAT MANY IN AMERICA WANT. IF WE CAN SHOW THAT WE CAN HAVE CONTROL OF THE NUMBER THEN I WOULD BE VERY WILLING TO LET MORE IMMIGRATE (WITHIN REASON).

SOME HOW I FEEL, BY SHERE NUMBER, THIS GREAT NUMBER OF VERY HUMBLE, GOOD SEEKING PEOPLE WILL DILUTE THE PREVILAGES OF AMERICANS. WE HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES. I WISH WE COULD TAKE CARE OF THE ENTIRE WORLD BUT BE CANNOT; WE CANNOT TAKE CARE OF OUR SELVES.

Joe Martucci

Does anyone know if Z-Visa workers would pay social security taxes? If yes, do they earn credits towards benefits under the SS Administration?

Still Not Amused

This whole thing sucks like "cold grits" . The understanding here is, All illegals in this country would become full residents provided that they return too there native lands and file paperwork for citizenship . If that's the case it's a crock full of shit ! First off, Most of the illegals have families here that they have to provide for so where the hell does the US expect them too go ? If they return to their countries they know they may never get the chance too return too the US . There is a reason they come here you know & it's not just lack of work and Freedom . Some are from countries run by dictators with ruthless policies . Do you think these people are trying to revisit that Tierney ? I don't think so most will not be willing too return home . It's a trust issue with them and there not trying to take the chance that the US denies them reentry . Secondly, It appears this bill is a revolving door for illegals, & that's never a good thing . I estimate this bill will have damn near zero impact on the current situation thus is pointless . If we really want to get serious about all the illegals entering this country then close the borders and enforce them . Plain and simple, but that's not what this countries about . We have a healthy mix whimpering Activists fighting for a group of people for whom have no legal rights here in the first place ! So as usual the important things that should happen probably won't happen .

James

This bill is hilarious, who in their right mind would register with the government, take a chance, and pay $6500 to potentially get on the "path to residency".