On Friday, March 19, 2010, The Washington Post published "The Right Way to Mend Immigration" by Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Lindsey O. Graham (R-SC). The very fact that even one Republican and one Democrat were able to get together and agree on something this important gives me hope for change.


The proposal is interesting and obviously a lot of thought and research went into crafting it.

The main points are these:

1. Creation of a legal way for immigrant workers to come to the US and contribute to the economy (includes new measures for worker verification and high tech Social Security cards);

2. Tough stance on workers or employers who choose not to follow the employment eligibility laws;

3. Green card program for foreigners who have earned a PhD or Masters Degree in U.S. universities to induce them to stay and contribute to our country's future;

4. Zero tolerance for felons, gang members, smugglers or terrorists; and

5. A tough, but fair system for immigrants who are already here to accept consequences for their illegal entry and earn the right to stay (includes admission of illegal entry, payment of fines and taxes and contribution to the community).

This is promising for those immigrants who have been living in the United States for years, working and abiding by the laws, contributing to their communities, and waiting for an opporunity to become legal residents. We will be ready to help clients with this process when the time comes.

Here is the link for the article: http://bit.ly/bTN7eT