Could this be the solution?

Senate Republicans reached agreement last night on a compromise immigration measure that they believe will garner enough bipartisan support to break through a parliamentary impasse that has stymied progress on a high-stakes border security bill for two weeks.

Under the agreement, the Senate would allow undocumented workers a path to lawful employment and citizenship if they could prove -- through work stubs, utility bills or other documents -- that they have been in the country for five years. To attain citizenship, those immigrants would have to pay a $2,000 penalty, back taxes, learn English, undergo a criminal background check and remain working for 11 years.

Those who have been here a shorter time would have to return to one of 16 designated ports of entry, such as El Paso, Tex., and apply for a new form of temporary work visa for low-skilled and unskilled workers. An additional provision still under consideration would disqualify illegal immigrants who have been in the country less than two years.

Like it or not, sending all the illegals back would be impossible -- we lack the will and the means. After all, what do you do with someone who has been in this country for 15 years and who has three US citizen children? What do you do with folks who are married to US citizens? This plan recognizes the different levels of ties that have developed within the illegal immigrant population -- differences I see on a daily basis at my school -- and tries to use them. to make reasonable distinctions.

I may not like the amnesty provisions of this (or any other) bill, but I recognize that there is a realistic need for some accommodation of those who have been here hte longest.

Posted by: Greg at 10:37 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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