Washington – The Bush administration and key senators are struggling to agree on draft legislation to secure the U.S.-Mexico border before putting millions of illegal immigrants on a path to citizenship that could take 13 years.
Even then, immigrants would have to leave the country and pay large fines before gaining legal status.
Officials familiar with the discussions say that despite concessions by both Republicans and Democrats, a final agreement may not come before the Senate opens debate on the issue next week – if at all.
Still, the outlines of a possible deal have taken shape in almost daily secret talks attended by two members of President Bush’s Cabinet. As contemplated, the proposal would bar undocumented immigrants from gaining legal status until the administration beefs up border security and implements a high-tech ID system for temporary workers.
Such measures are expected to take up to two years.
Even after that, officials said, it could take more than a decade before the 12 million men, women and children estimated to be in the U.S. illegally could get permanent legal status, or green cards. First the government would clear an existing legal immigration backlog, a task estimated to take eight years. Then the government would begin processing green cards for the 12 million here illegally, expected to take another five years.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D- Mass., has been leading negotiations with Republican senators and White House officials.
To jump-start debate, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he will move today to bring up a measure from 2006 – either a Senate-passed bill or one approved by the Judiciary Committee. Both are regarded as much more liberal than the one now being hammered out.
Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., one of the lawmakers involved in the negotiations, made a plea Tuesday for more time, warning that moving too quickly could provoke a GOP filibuster.
Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., is working with Kennedy and other senators. He backs a format that provides for enhanced enforcement at the border, a guest- worker program, and what he calls “humane treatment” for illegal immigrants.
Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., opposes any legislation that would grant legal status to those who entered the U.S. illegally.
Denver Post staff writer Anne Mulkern contributed to this report.
Details of possible deal
Package negotiated by Senate Democrats, Republicans and Bush administration officials:
