In US, 12mn illegal immigrants may gain legal status

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:55:32 GMT

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=111275&sectionid=3510203

The Obama administration will begin moving towards reform of the nation's immigration laws early next year to give legal status to an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants.

An updated version of immigration laws could be supported by many members of congress only if border security is improved, according to Janet Napolitano-Homeland security Secretary — who was designated by US President Barack Obama to lead the administration's efforts to overhaul immigration laws.

The argument is for a "three-legged stool" that includes tougher enforcement laws against illegal immigrants and employers, who hire them and a streamlined system for legal immigration, as well as a "tough and fair pathway to earned legal status" Napolitano said, laying out the administration's bottom line.

Napolitano unveiled arguments for a legalization program at the Center of American Progress. She mentioned that the plan would enhance national security and also protect American workers competing with low-paid illegal immigrants.

According to the administration's plan, illegal immigrants that want to gain legal status have to pay all taxes they owe, learn English and go through a criminal background check.

"Let me emphasize this: we will never have fully effective law enforcement or national security as long as so many millions remain in the shadows," she said, adding that the recession-hit economy would be strengthened "as these immigrants become full-paying taxpayers."

According to Napolitano border patrol has reached 20,000 officers and over 600 miles of border fence has been finished that meet security benchmarks set by congress in 2007.

"I've been dealing hands-on with immigration issues since 1993, so trust me: I know a major shift when I see one, and what I have seen makes reform far more attainable this time around," Napolitano said.

However, some believe that Napolitano's proposal can do more harm than good.