A bipartisan group of senators have agreed on a framework for sweeping immigration reforms, including a path to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants already in the U.S.
The so-called Gang of Eight senators are expected to outline the immigration overhaul at a press conference Monday afternoon in Washington.
Democrats Charles Schumer of New York, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Michael Bennet of Colorado, joined with Republicans John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Marco Rubio of Florida and Jeff Flake of Arizona to hammer out the agreement.
In addition to helping illegals secure citizenship, the plan also calls for awarding green cards to immigrants who obtain advanced degrees in science, math, technology or engineering from a U.S. university.
Also, American business owners will be able to hire immigrants if they can establish that U.S. workers would not take the job.
The Associated Press reports the deal is contingent on improving security at U.S. borders.
President Barack Obama is scheduled to speak in Las Vegas on Tuesday. The White House says he will offer his own ideas on how to “fix our broken immigration system so it is fair for and helps grow our middle class and it ensures everyone is playing by the same rules.”
During his successful campaign Obama against Republican Mitt Romney last year, Obama promised swift immigration reforms if elected for a second term. Meanwhile, political analysts say the GOP is desperate to improve their image among minority voters after Romney urged illegals to “self-deport.”
“This has not historically been a partisan issue,” Obama said in his first press conference after being re-elected. “We’ve had President Bush, John McCain and others who have supported comprehensive immigration reform in the past. So we need to seize the moment.”
by RTT Staff Writer
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