Discussion of immigration reform in the US was accompanied by mass actions by supporters of amnesty for illegal immigrants
According to White House officials, the president does not want to 'politicize' the issue. In Obama's view, this would hinder the adoption of a comprehensive reform in the future. According to correspondents, the president's decision will bring relief to Democratic senators who feel insecure ahead of the elections.
Recall that the controversial immigration reform bill, which provides amnesty for about 11 million illegal immigrants and opens the way for them to obtain US citizenship, was approved by the Senate in June 2013, but has not yet been passed by the House of Representatives. The bill was voted for by 68 senators, against – 32. Its passage was preceded by several months of fierce debate and a decision to allocate $46 billion for measures to strengthen the border with Mexico and modernize the visa issuance system.
After the Senate vote, President Barack Obama said that the United States 'has significantly come closer to fixing the flaws of our immigration system once and for all.' 'Today the Senate did its job,' Obama said. 'Now it's up to the House of Representatives.'
Immediately after the bill's passage, fears were expressed that the immigration reform bill would face difficulties during debate in the more conservative upper house of the US Congress. House Speaker John Boehner made it clear that he would not support a bill that meets resistance from the majority of his Republican colleagues.
The immigration reform stipulates that for $500, illegals can obtain a 'temporary registered immigrant status' valid for six years and renewable.
After 10 years of living in the country in such status, immigrants can obtain a 'green card' – the right to permanent residence and work in the US – and after another three years they will have the right to apply for US citizenship.
The proposed amnesty applies to illegal immigrants who arrived in the country before December 31, 2011 and have been continuously present in the US since then, and who have no convictions for serious crimes.
Persons illegally brought to the US before adulthood will be eligible for a green card after just five years.
At the same time, the law provides for strengthening border security, especially with Mexico, through which the bulk of illegals enter the US.
House Speaker John Boehner stated that the House would prepare its own immigration reform bill that 'reflects the will of the majority of House members and the will of the American people.' Republicans have already spoken about the need for stricter immigration control measures and condemned the proposed bill for – in their words – encouraging illegal immigration.
However, analysts predict that Republicans will fear sinking the immigration reform because they do not want to lose the votes of the Latino community. What fate awaits the bill after the elections – time will tell.