Key elements of the competing immigration bills.
SENATE BILL
Pathway to citizenship
Illegal immigrants in the country five years or more could eventually become permanent residents and then citizens after paying fines and back taxes and learning English. Immigrants here for two to five years would have to go to a point of entry and apply to return. Illegal immigrants here less than two years would have to leave, although they could apply to return as guest workers.
Guest workers
A temporary-worker program would allow up to 200,000 new immigrants into the country each year for low-skilled jobs if the president declares it “will strengthen the national security.” The bill also would authorize an estimated 1.5 million agriculture guest workers.
Criminal penalties
Illegal immigrants convicted of a felony or three misdemeanors would be deported. Smuggling immigrants would be illegal, with exceptions for “humanitarian” assistance, such as medical care and emergency housing.
Workplace enforcement
Employers could be fined up to $20,000 for hiring undocumented workers. Employers would be required to use an electronic ID verification system within 18 months.
Border patrol
About 2,400 border agents would be added each year through 2011 to the current force of 11,300.
Fencing
The bill calls for construction of 350 miles of border fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers on the U.S.-Mexico border.
HOUSE BILL
Pathway to citizenship
Not included.
Guest workers
Not included. (But Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., has introduced a separate bill to create a guest-worker program.)
Criminal penalties
Illegal presence in the country, or helping illegal immigrants enter or stay here, would be felonies. All non-Mexicans arrested at ports of entry or at land and sea borders would be detained.
Workplace enforcement
Employers would be required to use an electronic ID verification system within six years. Top fines for employers of illegal workers would be $40,000 per violation.
Border patrol
The bill calls for hiring additional border agents “as expeditiously as possible.”
Fencing
Fencing, “physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras and sensors” would be added along 700 miles of the border.
Denver Post research and wire services
