Senate Set To Take Up Immigration Reform

The Immigration law debate and overhaul continues this week in Congress. Republicans in the Senate and House want tighter control of the border with Mexico before the estimated 11 million people who entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas would be allowed to gain permanent legal status.

Democrats appear to be willing to accept some measures to toughen border security, but not changes that a future president or Congress could use to block the bill’s 13-year route to citizenship. In the recent 82-15 vote, only Republicans opposed bringing up the bill.

To become law, the bill would also have to get through the Republican-controlled House. Speaker John A. Boehner (R-OH) said that passing an immigration bill into law would be “at the top” of his chamber’s accomplishments this year. Much of the debate in the House is expected to revolve around the cost of additional entitlement services.

As the bill is written, immigrants would be allowed to transition to provisional legal status within six months after it becomes law if the Department of Homeland Security has come up with a plan for border security. After 10 years, if the plan is “operational,” most immigrants in good standing would be able to get green cards. After 13 years they could become citizens.

The legislation provides up to $6.5 billion for more drones, border agents and double-layer fencing across the border with Mexico to try to stop 90% of illegal crossings. Some sectors are well on their way to that goal, while others are less secure. But as the bill is currently written, even if this goal is not achieved, illegal immigrants in the U.S. might still be allowed to become citizens.