Tucson Region

Democrats to offer immigration reform

A comprehensive immigration reform plan that would make it easier for illegal entrants already in the United States to become legal permanent residents will be announced Tuesday by members of the Hispanic Caucus in Washington, D.C., and by Rep Raúl M. Grijalva in Tucson. Grijalva, a Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, said he thinks the plan will be readily supported because it allows for earned legal residence on one hand while addressing national security concerns on the other. The legislation is still being drafted, and details will be announced in-depth Tuesday. In part, the bill would allow illegal entrants already living in this country for two years to apply for legal permanent residence if they can demonstrate they are working, looking for work or trying to learn English, Grijalva said. The second component of the legislation would allow families to come live in the United States with legal permanent workers. Under current rules, petitioning for family members to come here has created a backlog of applicants of as long as nine years, said Douglas Rivlin of the National Immigration Forum, a Washington-based think tank. "That creates some of the incentives to come here illegally," he said. "What we are expecting them to introduce is the most comprehensive immigration proposal that's been put down as legislation." The third component would make it easier for workers to come to the United States with full labor protections, Rivlin said. The plan is being put forward by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Reps. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill. Tucson Republican Jim Kolbe was not available for comment Friday. The new bill conflicts with legislation he and Sen. John McCain introduced regarding a guest worker program. It would provide a legal framework for workers to come to the United States and then return home after a certain time period.