Immigration Reform in 2013

Immigration Reform Proposed by Bipartisan Group

United States Senator John McCane (R-Az) announced today that a group of senators have a bill that will reform immigration laws in the United States. The announcement came one day ahead of President Obama's expected discussion of immigration in United States scheduled for January 29, 2012 in Las Vegas.

Proposed Plan to Provide a Type of Amnesty

A sticking point of immigration reform that has long plagued efforts to overhaul United States' immigration law policy has been amnesty. Republicans traditionally have been unwilling to accept any form of amnesty. The plan as outlined by McCane and others will include a component that isn't called amnesty however it functions much like amnesty. 

Without providing any details, McCane called for payment of back taxes by anyone wishing to remain in the United States regardless of how they came to the U.S. Additional provisions of the plan include new rules covering immigration to the U.S. and guest worker programs. 

Immigration Reform Desperately Needed

According to most sources there are more than 15 million undocumented aliens in the U.S. Many of this people have been here for more than ten years. Some people have been here for more than twenty years. The vast majority of these people are hard working members of society, however they live in fear of being deported or unable to use resources that they pay for like police or human services. 

Additionally, immigration reform should help address concerns about terrorism and national security. Regardless of whether it is for national security, public safety or efficient collection of taxes, immigration reform is desperately needed. We look forward to tomorrow when President Obama will outline his plan for immigration reform.