On April 17, 2013 American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) Commended Senate “Gang of Eight” for Bipartisan Immigration Bill proposal on April 17, 2013
“As a framework for reform, this is closer than we’ve come in years to meaningful change,” said AILA President Laura Lichter
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) commends the Senate “Gang of Eight” for introducing its bipartisan immigration reform proposal, allowing the Senate Judiciary Committee to forge ahead on the “markup” process. A proposal like this is a necessary first step in any path forward to create a common-sense immigration system that will meet the needs of the U.S. economy, businesses, and families, and integrate into our society aspiring Americans who work hard and want only a better life for themselves and their families.
In many ways, the language contained in the 844 page legislation reflects key issues AILA sees as necessary to any successful immigration reform, such as border and interior enforcement, legalization, backlog reduction, asylum, family unification, and both current and future business needs.
“Is it perfect? No compromise measure ever is. Is it a good bill? Yes, for the most part it is, and perhaps it is even a great bill in some respects. We do see some further changes that are desirable, and as we delve more deeply into the details, I’m sure we’ll find some needed tweaks. But as a framework for reform, this is closer than we’ve come in years to meaningful change,” said AILA President Laura Lichter. She continued, “This bill does not shy away from addressing the difficult issues embedded in current immigration policy. It’s a good start, and I hope that by continuing to work across the aisle, the Senate can pass a bill that will meet our nation’s needs and the House will follow suit.”
The unveiled long-awaited landmark legislation will remove the threat of deportation for millions of illegal immigrants, giving them an opportunity to apply for permanent legal status within 10 years and eventually for U.S. citizenship.
Under the proposal, undocumented immigrants who came to America before Dec. 31, 2011 and stayed continuously could apply for “provisional” legal status as soon as six months after the bill is signed by the president.
But beyond that, they would have to wait, perhaps for a decade or more without receiving federal benefits, while the government meets a host of tough conditions for securing U.S. borders and enforcing current immigration law.
The bill’s sponsors – four Democrats and four Republicans -felt such conditions and enforcement “triggers” to be necessary in order to help it succeed where similar measures have failed, mostly because of opposition to what opponents see as “amnesty” for law-breakers.
