The following is a summary of the major provisions of S. 2611, The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. The legislation passed the U. S. Senate 62-36 on Thursday, May 25, 2006.
Positive Provisions:
* Path to Citizenship: As many as 10 million persons will have an opportunity for legal status and legal permanent residence within a 6-8 year period. Those here 5 years or longer (an estimated 7-8 million) would be allowed to apply for permanent residence after six years; those here 2-5 years will be allowed to work but must return to a port of entry and wait for a green card behind those in the first category; and those here 0-2 years must return home and come back through the temporary worker program.
* Family-Based Visa Reform: Title V of the legislation makes changes to increase family visas for family reunification. The provisions would clear the backlog for family reunification within six years.
* Temporary Worker Program: A new temporary worker program would allow 200,000 workers to enter the United States. After four years of work, they would be able to self-petition for permanent residency. Workers would be able to change employers under the program.
* AgJOBS/DREAM Act: The legislation includes the Agricultural Jobs, Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2006, which would legalize up to 1.5 million farm workers, and the DREAM Act, which would legalize undocumented students.
Negative Provisions:
* Border Wall: An amendment to the bill would authorize construction of a 370 mile wall along the border.
* English-only amendment: An amendment was adopted during the floor debate which would make English the official language of the United States. It is unclear what real impact that might have on government operations, including whether government documents can be provided in languages other than English.
* Detention and Due Process Provisions: The bill would require mandatory detention for non-Mexicans along the southern border, indefinite detention for persons who cannot be removed to their home country, and would remove judicial review of minor offenses.
* Refugees and Asylum Seekers: The legislation would expand expedited removal of asylum seekers along the southern border and expose to criminal prosecution potential asylum seekers who file affirmative asylum applications who use false documents. An amendment on the floor removed a harsh provision which would deport an asylum seeker awaiting a decision on appeal.
Once Again, from Justice For Immigrants, the above information was taken from: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/S2611.html
