Amendments to Immigration Bill Awaiting Vote

A comprehensive immigration plan consisting of more than 300 amendments introduced into the U.S. legislature by a bipartisan group of Senators is now being debated for a vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The immigration changes will have to be approved by the Committee, then the full Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Obama Administration before they can go into effect. Debate in the Committee over the changes is expected to be lengthy, taking up several hearings.

As the plan is written now, it would increase funding for border security, change visa programs to permit more high- and low-skilled workers into the country, and create a 13-year route to U.S. citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. Other parts of the immigration bill which may make it difficult to pass include letting Americans involved in long-term same sex relationships act as sponsors for immigrant partners in obtaining a green card. The plan would recognize same-sex unions.

A comprehensive immigration bill has not been passed in Congress since 1986. At that time, three million illegal immigrants were able to apply for citizenship. Republicans argue that border security promised as part of that bill never occurred, which has led to another 11 million illegal immigrants in the country today.

Immigration Firm in San Diego, California

Every year, laws concerning immigration are changed in the U.S., becoming more complicated and detailed. As seen in the above story, comprehensive changes are now being debated by Congress once again which can make sweeping shifts in various immigration issues. Continuing changes and reforms in the law mean that individuals, families, and employers with immigration issues will need to seek the legal advice and guidance of an attorney who stays on top of these changes.

Guerra & Johnson, P.C., is an immigration law firm located in San Diego which provides attentive, focused, and effective legal help for family-based and employment-based immigration, naturalization, asylum, citizenship, deportation, and other immigration matters. The attorneys at the firm understand both sides of all immigration issues, having worked at the Department of Homeland Security as well as for immigrants. Solving your immigration problem is their business. To ensure that your legal matter is handled properly and smoothly, contact the firm for a consultation.