Senate immigration debate heats up

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Immigration reform is a hot topic this week making headlines in Washington and beyond, and how the latest debates and politics will affect the landscaping community in the long run is still unclear.

This week's big issue -- what to do with the approximately 12 million illegal immigrants already here -- has divided both houses of Congress as well as Republicans and Democrats (see timeline below).

The current H-2B temporary visa program is a legal avenue for small businesses to obtain seasonal workers; this program does not fall under the "guest worker" rhetoric before Congress right now. However, industry lobbyists predict it will come up for review soon, though possibly as part of another piece of legislation.

The debate raging on now focuses on illegal immigrants -- those living and working in the United States without documentation. Figures estimate this group to include anywhere from 10-12 million people.

The issue is divided among the House of Representatives, which voted in December for a strict, enforcement-only bill; President Bush, who favors more comprehensive immigration reform but hasn't offered specifics; and the Senate, which is divided now between comprehensive reform and a stricter take.

The following timeline breaks down current legislative activity:

December 2005: The House of Representatives passes legislation that focuses on tight border control and penalties for hiring illegals. This plan includes no provisions for guest workers and no "path to citizenship."

March 2006: The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), approved a bill offered by Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) that offers some border control and a six-year temporary worker program. Under this plan, dubbed the "path to citizenship," illegals in the country before Jan. 7, 2004, with jobs, can work another six years to earn a green card.

March 2006: Senators opposed call the Judiciary Committee legislation amnesty, and many support an alternate plan proposed by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ). This plan requires illegals to return to their home countries within five years, then apply for citizenship or guest-worker status.

April 5, 2006: Senate Republicans propose a compromise plan that would allow illegals who have lived in the United States longer than five years to gain legal status without returning home, while paying certain fees and having a background check. Illegals in the country between two and five years would have to leave the country briefly at a border point before re-entering and being subjected to similar fines and checks. Illegals here less than two years would be required to return home and apply for re-entry with others seeking legal entry to the U.S. for the first time. Democrat leaders say they are considering the Republican plan.