Bipartisan immigration reform framework announced

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) have laid out the framework for a comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform bill that would include tougher border enforcement, creation of biometric Social Security cards and a path to legalization for the nation's estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants.

The announcement of the plan, which brought immediate praise from President Obama, comes days before a pro-immigration march scheduled for the nation’s capital on Sunday.

”It thoughtfully addresses the need to shore up our borders, and demands accountability from both workers who are here illegally and employers who game the system,” Obama said in a prepared statement.

“A critical next step will be to translate their framework into a legislative proposal, and for Congress to act at the earliest possible opportunity.”

The plan includes four basic pillars, including the creation of biometric Social Security cards to ensure illegal workers cannot get jobs in the future; fulfilling and strengthening border security and interior enforcement; creating a process for admitting temporary workers; and implementing a tough but fair path to legalization for those already here.

-- Anna Gorman

Photo: Border Patrol Agent Munga Wechsler, 26, looks for signs of illegal entry into the U.S. along the border fence near Antelope Wells, N.M.  Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Gregor]

"11 million undocumented immigrants?"
Hahahaha! Try 30 million, and the correct term is "illegal aliens."

The term "criminals" would work also.

[Tirau]

Biometric? So criminals can steal our physical identities as well?

[Jay Jackson]

11 Million?? Where do they get that number?? That's how many are in California alone.

[feo]

Let's hope something can get this process moved forward which will be fair to everyone.

[Proud American]

I'm glad to see that practical and level-headed reform is finally underway. Immigrants are what make this country so great, and it's high time we recognized that. For all of the crazy, irrational, ignorant, and prejudiced people who are sure to respond negatively to this story and this comment--get a life, stop hating, and stop getting in the way of what makes this country so great.

[Joseph W. Walden Jr.]

Ah man brother, about time we reward people who come to this country by legal process and deport those who thumb thier nose at the U.S. Boarder, boot em all lock, stock, and barrel.

[West Valley Dave]

Tougher border enforcement YES... Biometric SS Cards NO... Path to legalization NO!!!

Do it the right way or get out. And with the SS card idea... GOVERNMENT STAY OUT OF OUR LIVES!!!

[Susannah2k]

And the reason we have to wait for this ridiculous bill, with its many provisions that most voters don't approve of, to "shore up our borders" is what, exactly? Let's leave immigration, legal and illegal, aside for a moment and think about jobs and national security. Here's a jobs bill our elected representatives should be enacting and funding: Put Americans to work building secure borders for the United States. Think of the benefits! In addition to stemming the tide of illegal entrants to our country, it would create jobs, not just for those working on building the secure border, but also for local companies doing catering, housing, etc., in several states. A win-win situation all around.

[Joe]

Politicans DO NOT LISTEN to the American public. Reward the illegals is all that they can come up with? Impeach all politicans who agree with this insane crap!

[Tryit]

SAME pack of lies they told for the first TWO AMNESTIES!!!!!

Deport DEPORT and nothing LESS!!!!!!!!

We will NEVER allow another amnesty for 40 million illegal foreign nationals when our own families are starving and unemployed...no matter how much corporations OWN the GOV.

I hope they do put this issue on the front burner...it's just the right time to see the full wrath and anger of Americans over this invasion.

[Joshua]

I hate the term aliens, they're not another form of life. They're human beings. Illegal Immigrants is just fine. As for criminals, not really. Sure they came here by improper means but the majority don't run around breaking laws and performing criminal acts. Instead of criminal, how about desperate? Desperate Illegal Immigrants, that sounds better to me then illegal aliens or criminals because neither really are fully accurate.

[Ron]

It's amnesty, folks. This is the pathway to Obamacare for illegals.

[Marlena]

NO AMNESTY - these illegals need to go to the back of the line and start the process the legal way like all the law abiding immigrants who have come before them - that is the only moral and ethical to do and would appease us Americans who believe they are only here to take advantage of our liberal social services not to become Americans.

[Reagan88]

The correct term for Gregor is "Nativist".

[Joanna Jenkins]

Just like I have been saying for months. As soon as "Obamacare" is most likely to pass, let's make the 11,000,000 illegals legal, so they can get "Obamacare" free, because you know they cannot afford healthcare. So the Democrats have a built-in voting base. But who is going to pay? We all are!

[joe]

NO AMNESTY !!!!!!

[Joel]

One thing I am wondering about this pathway to citizenship for all the illegals in this country; does this mean that once this becomes law people will pour illegally across the border by the millions and then be put on an automatic path to citizenship?

[David]

Entering the counrty is illegal, this makes people that do so criminals. Criminals desrve to be prosecuted. Just calling it like I see it. Leave it to the LA times to put a PC slant on it.

[sinclair]

if 11 million people robbed banks, would the government come out with a sympathetic "withdrawal reform" policy?

a crook is a crook is a crook.

[John]

Anyone who says we need to kick all these people out is living in a FANTASY WORLD. You may not like it, but you depend on them. Or would you like to spend 10 hours a day picking fruit? No? Then shut your mouth.

[ValleyGeorge]

wow, so I guess everyone posting here must be Native American, because those are the only true natural citizens. Everyone else from George Washington down migrated from somewhere, wether it was your grandparents of your great, great, great, great, great,great,,,,,etc....grandparents, but everyone who lives in the United States migrated from somewhere around the world. This is a nation build on immagrants, lets not forget that.

[Anna]

For every illegal we should send one of our liberals back to the country they came from... I bet the liberals wouldn't mind to help their friends out... what you say... NO AMNESTY!!!

[Patriot for Adam Kokesh!!!!]

Yes, I finally agree with Mr. Cheney on our first topic: Mr. Obama will be a ONE TERM Prez. Down with the illegals!!! It's just NOT fair!!!!! WE NEED jobs, and they do it for dirt cheap, keeping US legal, poor and underemployed!!! Damn.

[melena29]

Just to clarify a few things for Joshua:

Alien – somebody who is a citizen of a country other than the one in which he or she lives

Immigrant – somebody who has come to a country and settled there

Legal – allowed under the law

Any questions?

[rs]

Gregor is correct, they are illegal aliens not undocumented workers. They broke the law, deport them. If I broke the law I most certainly wouldn't be rewarded for it and neither should they. Rules and laws are put into place for a reason and just because the authorities are too busy busting taxpayers for minimal offenses doesn't mean illegals should get a free ticket to citizenship. And by the way, biometric SS cards will not prevent illegals from working, most of them are paid cash and don't pay income tax to begin with. Our genius lawmakers at work once again...