If this immigration bill passes congress, what would the timeline be?
410882
You can't put a timeline on something like that, it would have to be ongoing, not to mention immigrants still sneaking in the country.  I could literally see a new federal agency heading this project for as long as the country is in existence.
370914
The congress is planning to try to put something together really quickly.  You need to contact your congressman by phone, mail or e-mail asap and let them know how you feel about it.  I personally am against any such action. The word "illegal" seems to have been forgotten in this whole immigration issue.  I welcome anyone who comes here legally, but not sneaking through borders, etc.\n\nWrite your congressman.
237643
Wow, thanks for the update.\n\nI am assuming you mean the California congress.\n\nIt is an interesting proposition, but the Constitution grants the United States Congress with the power to control Naturalization. \n\nIt would be interesting to see if it could be passed, that would definitely seem like a separation of powers issue between the federal and state government.\n\nBut, of course if you are talking about the Federal Congress, they would seem to have the power.\n\nTo be honest California is in a unique situation though, they have a huge illegal immigrant problem, and once the child is a citizen, the parents may claim a need to stay to raise child.  \n\nIs California becoming that overpopulated?  And even if that is the issue that doesn't deal with the failure to detect illegal immigrants, and that would seem to be the real issue there.
388014
They defeated a motion to proceed in the Senate.  It got 38 votes, I think, and needed 60.  Now Repubs and Dems are accusing each other, again, of not making headway on this issue.\n\nThe bill would have allowed another round of amnesties for people who had been here from 2-5 or more years and had not committed serious crimes.  They would have been allowed to apply for green cards, permanent residency, and so on.  In other words, they would have been rewarded for breaking the law, as has happened several times since 1986.  Back then, Reagan signed a bill allowing for the first modern amnesty of this sort.\n\nAs it stands now, our immigration laws do not have current provisions for ongoing amnesties, though some illegals who have not registered MIGHT be able under older laws to apply for residency.  They'd need to check with an immigration attorney on that one.\n\nI say we deport them all en masse, which is permitted under our Constitution, laws, and the doctrines of national sovereignty.  Given the ability, the USA would do just that, I think, but I have read lots of articles about manpower shortages at ICE and what are still porous borders...
681889
First of all, keep in mind that there are no changes to the immigration laws yet. There still needs to be a consensus bill bewteen the Senate and House which the President would need to sign.\n\nAside from that, if the Senate bill were to pass in its current form, it will not have any effect on the status of those who are here legally. The proposed legislation offers legalization, and, in some respects, will put the illegals on a path to residency/citizenship faster than those who have followed the rules (no matter what their status). It is a definite slap in the face to all those who followed the letter of the law, but that's the U.S. government for you....to the politicians in Washington, its not about what's right, its about getting re-elected.
735644
In May 2006, the Senate passed a sweeping immigration reform measure which provides for stricter border control but also allows for a legalization process .This URL explains it:\nhttp://www.newsbatch.com/immigration.htm\n\ncc
523131
HHR437 is a bill that if passed will make all illegal immigrants felons and deported. The protest for today is supposed to show the US how much they supposedly mean to the US economy
547439
The scenario you describe could very well happen here.  Especially if illegals receive amnesty and are able to bring tens of millions more of their relatives from back home.  They will pretty soon become a majority - at least in places like California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.\n\nUnfortunately, most people refuse to look at history and learn its lessons.
467128
He will have to go through the immigration process IN AMERICA.  Or he will still be here illegally...
621560
The Third Provision Of HR4437 States:\n\nAnyone or any organization who “assists” an individual without documentation “to reside in or remain” in the United States knowingly or with “reckless disregard” as to the individual’s legal status would be liable for criminal penalties and five years in prison.   This could include church personnel who provide shelter or other basic needs assistance to an undocumented individual.   Property used in this act would be subject to seizure and forfeiture.\n\n5 Years In Prison Is A Big Deterrent\nNo Employer In His Right Mind Will Hire Illegal Aliens\n\nAnd This Provision Also Addresses\nTAKE AWAY ALL BENEFITS FROM ILLEGALS \n\nOnce This Reform Bill Is Passed, Within a month there WILL be ten million (more or less) people lined up at the Mexican border trying to get out of the United States And Back To Whatever Country They Came From.\n\nNo Work = No Stay\nWe Wont Have To Deport Anyone,\nNo Deportation Costs \nTheyll Go Home Themselves\n\nNo Work = No Come Back\nWe Wont Have To Build A Fortress Wall On Our Southern Border
437402
it's not a law, just a bill passed by Senate. It also needs to be passed by the house and signed by the president to become a law, which probably won't happen.\n\nAnyway as a student this new immigration reform probably won't affect you at all. If you are hoping to get permanent residency out of this that probably won't happen either.\n\nIt's all speculations really, we must wait for a law to pass before we know anything for sure
245902
No law has been passed yet, the bill that was just passed has to be approved by the president before it's a law.
233101
None, they will just talk about it and legislate it to take affect in three years.
126595
It is relatively speedy, compared to other immigration issues. The basic process is laid out at the site below. The important thing is getting all of the proper documents.
332294
If Congress were to pass a law that said, quite simply, that the CEO(ANY EMPLOYER) of any business that was caught employing ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS went to jail for a year - \nNO EXCEPTIONS - \nThen within a month there would be ten million (more or less) people lined up at the Mexican border trying to get out of the United States And Back To Whatever Country They Came From.\n\nIf They Cant Work They Wont Stay\nNo Deportation Costs\nThey Wont Come Back\n\nThe EMPLOYERS Must Be Held Accountable\n\nGood Luck With Your Report
1038359
Great immigration question.
242394
Here's the timetable:\n1.First Monday in February - President submits budget to Congress. \n2.Feb 15 - Congressional Budget Office submits economic and budget outlook report to Budget Committees.\n3.Six weeks after President submits budget -  Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees. \n4.April 1 - Senate Budget Committee reports budget resolution.\n5.April 15 - Congress completes action on budget \nresolution.  \n6.May 15 - Annual appropriations bills may be considered in the House, even if action on budget resolution has not been completed. \n7.June 10 - House Appropriations Committee reports last annual appropriations bill. \n8.June 15 - House completes action on reconciliation legislation (if required by budget resolution). \n9.June 30 - House completes action on annual appropriations bills. \n10.July 15 - President submits mid-session review of his budget to Congress. \n11.October 1 - Fiscal year begins.