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There have been several
proposals in Congress and by President Bush in
the past few months for the legalization of
undocumented workers in the United States.
The proposed programs have several common themes,
yet differ substantially in the effect they will
have on undocumented workers. The AgJobs
Act, for instance, will allow for undocumented
workers to adjust their status to become
permanent residents of the United States (they
will obtain green cards), whereas President
Bush's proposal does not offer this
benefit. A summary of the major proposals
is below.
AgJobs
Act of 2003
The Agricultural Job
Opportunity, Benefits and Security Act of 2003 (AgJobs
Act) was introduced in the Senate and House of
Representatives with Democratic and Republican
support. It provides an earned adjustment
program for undocumented agricultural workers
that would lead to permanent residency - a green
card - for the workers and their family
members. The act would also replace the
current H-2A Temporary Agricultural Guestworker
Program and create a new temporary worker status
for undocumented workers currently working in
the U.S.
Other
Immigration Reform Proposals
Senators Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and
Tom Daschle (D-SD) introduced the Immigration
Reform Act of 2004, which addresses several
areas of immigration reform: family
reunification, a revised temporary worker
program and access to earned adjustment
(permanent residence or green
card). The family
reunification provisions would classify spouses
and minor children of lawful permanent residents
as immediate relatives, bypassing the current
lengthy waiting times for these individuals.
The Border Security and
Immigration Improvement Act of 2003, introduced
by Senator John McCain, would establish a
program for undocumented workers who entered the
U.S. before August 1, 2003, to adjust their
status to a new H-4B nonimmigrant status.
The bill would also create a new H-4A temporary
worker category. The bill has no provision
for the acquisition of permanent resident status
(a green card).
President
Bush's Proposed Guest Worker Program
President Bush's proposal for a
new guest worker program would allow
undocumented workers currently employed in the
U.S. to legalize their immigration status on a
temporary basis for up to 6 years. They
would then have to return to their home
countries. There is no provision for
undocumented workers to obtain permanent
residency (green cards).
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