United States: Senate leaders have resolved a procedural dispute that derailed an immigration reform Bill last month, opening the way for a fresh debate on the measure next week.
Senators will debate immigration in full-day sessions starting on Monday and leaders hope to pass legislation within two weeks. Democrats have agreed to allow an unlimited number of amendments to be debated, but Republican leaders have promised to crush any attempt to use amendments to kill the Bill through a filibuster.
In an unusual move, the two parties have agreed in advance the composition of the Senate delegation that will negotiate with the House of Representatives if a Bill is passed. The House passed its own immigration Bill last December, a tough border enforcement proposal that includes no mechanism to allow illegal immigrants to stay in the US. Any final legislation must be a compromise between the House and the Senate.
"The two leaders anticipate full session days on this Bill, with a considerable number of amendments debated and voted on each day," Republican majority leader Bill Frist told the Senate.
The senators will debate a Bill that would make illegal immigrants who arrived in the US before April 5th, 2001 eligible for "earned adjustment" to legal status and eventually to apply for US citizenship.
They would have to work in the US for six years after the Bill becomes law, pass a background check, pay back taxes, hold a job, learn civics and English and pay a $2,000 fine. There would be no limit to the number of green cards that could be issued under this rule.
Illegal immigrants who have been in the US for between two and five years as of April 2006 would have to register with the department of homeland security.
Within three years of registering, they would have to leave the US but could return by applying for a visa at a land port of entry.
After clearing a background check, paying back taxes and meeting other requirements, they too would qualify for legal permanent residence.
The Bill has no provision for those who have been in the US for less than two years, but 1.5 million agricultural workers would be eligible for permanent legal residence if they have worked in agriculture in the US before the new law comes into force and if they work three to five more years in agriculture afterwards.
The Bill would also create a guest worker programme that would allow up to 325,000 people to enter the US and fill vacant jobs during the first year. They would receive a once-renewable three-year visa and could apply for permanent residence after four years.
Republicans are deeply divided on immigration and conservatives are expected to propose amendments that would limit the number of illegal immigrants who would be allowed to remain in the US.