Immigration Legislation

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007:(21) Like similar immigration bills over the past three years, this bill was politically criticized from both liberals and conservatives and lacked the necessary Congressional votes to pass.(22) If passed, the bill would have included:
- Improved border control provisions.
- New visa classifications – the ‘‘Y Visa’’ and ‘‘Z Visa’’:
  - Y Visa: A temporary guest worker program for stays in the US for up to 2 years.
  - Z Visa: Would apply to illegal aliens that were within the US by January 1, 2007. It would carry a $1000 fine. To apply for a green card later, an additional $4000 fine would be imposed. The worker would have to return to the worker’s home country and be admitted back into the US. This could carry a time lag of years
- End of ‘‘chain migration’’ such that family-based immigrants would be limited to the spouse and children of someone with a green card.
- A merit-based immigration point system for anyone applying for a green card based on education, family ties within the US, and the person’s special skills.
- The DREAM Act in its entirety (which is discussed below).
- A maximum 8 year wait for family members legally applying for a green card.(23)
- Critics of the bill cited the Z visa as an overly broad amnesty provision and the merit-based point system as unfair to extended families.(24)
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (‘‘DREAM Act’’):(25) If passed, this bill would offer higher education and military opportunities to illegal immigrants who were brought into the US by illegal alien parents as children and were educated in US schools but never acquired proper legal immigration status. Upon graduation, these children would otherwise be barred from higher education or possibly deported. This program essentially offers these immigrants ‘‘the American Dream’’ in the sense of higher education or military service and the ability to legally immigrate to the US. The program would allow for in-state tuition and federal and state loans as well as the ability for these students to legally work through college.
To qualify under the act, the immigrant would have:
- Entered the US prior to age 16,
- Been in the US for five consecutive years,
- Graduated from a US high school or obtained a GED,
- ‘‘Good moral character’’.
If these requirements are met, a six year conditional visa could be granted. During the conditional six year period the immigrant would be required to complete at least two years of college or serve two years in the US military. After that conditional period, if either the education or military condition is met, then the immigrant could apply for a green card and citizenship.
This act was included in its entirety in the recent Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 which did not pass. However, because of the bipartisan support for this act’s principles, it is likely to be added to other bills such as the upcoming 2008 defense appropriations bill.(26)
Agricultural Jobs, Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2007:(27) If passed, this bill would benefit illegal alien farm workers through the creation of a program that would allow these workers to apply past work experience to earn an adjustment for temporary immigration status. Upon satisfaction of the program’s prospective agricultural work requirement, these workers could also adjust to green card status. The farm worker’s spouse and minor children would also have the opportunity for adjustment to permanent resident status once the farm worker does. Lastly, this bill would streamline the cumbersome H2-A(28) visa process and enhance labor protections such that any mistreated workers would have standing in federal court for recourse against their employers.

Immigration Enforcement
Immigration Glossary
Predominant Laws Affecting Us Immigration

Sources
(21)See. 1348
(22)See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_Immigration_Reform_Act_of_2007
(23)See http://zvisaonline.com
(24)See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_Immigration_Reform_Act_of_2007
(25)See S. 1545. The House version of the DREAM Act is called the American Dream Act. See H.R. 1275
(26)See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DREAM _Act for current status of this bill
(27)H.R. 371 / S. 340
(28)H-2A is a temporary work visa

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