marekatlanta71
07.04.06, 03:33
apnews.myway.com/article/20060407/D8GQQS3G0.html
- Illegal immigrants who have been in the country for at least five years
could receive legal status after meeting several conditions, including payment
of a $2,000 fines and any back taxes, clearing a background check and learning
English. After six more years, they could apply for citizenship without having
to leave the United States.
- Illegal immigrants in the country for between two and five years could
obtain a temporary work visa after reporting to a border point of entry. Aides
referred to this as "touch base and return," since people covered would know
in advance they would be readmitted to the United States.
- Officials said it could take as long as 13 to 14 years for some illegal
immigrants to gain citizenship. It part, that stems from an annual limit of
450,000 on green cards, which confer legal permanent residency and are a
precursor to citizenship status.
- Illegal immigrants in the United States for less than two years would be
required to leave the country and apply for re-entry alongside anyone else
seeking to emigrate.