Updated Blueprint for Immigration Reform - White House

I've read this blueprint in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and this is the first time that a timeline for legalization is provided. The proposal makes the wait for LPR status about 13-15 yrs.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/defa..._blueprint.pdf

In order to hold accountable people who are living in the United States illegally, the President supports the establishment of a legalization program that includes the following:
••Requiring illegal immigrants to register and submit to rigorous security check and verification of eligibility, including submitting their fingerprints for criminal and national security background checks;
••Individuals convicted of crimes or otherwise deemed to be national security threats would not be eligible to continue in the process;
••Individuals will be required to pay a registration fee and a series of fines;
••In order to move forward, individuals will have to learn English and basic American civics and demonstrate that they paid any back taxes;
••After eight years, individuals will be allowed to become legal permanent residents, and could eventually become citizens five years after this;••Applicants currently waiting outside the country to become legal permanent residents, as is legally required, would be eligible to receive their visas before individuals in the legalization program could apply for permanent residence. That is, illegal immigrants who complete all the requirements of the legalization program will have to go to the back of the line.

This is a good process.

BUT! Where is the enforcement to follow? I bet E-Verify will finally be mandatory for every single employer.

The Republicans would NEVER support this unless it has very strong, enforceable work verification mechanism.

It's a start though. The President is saying: here I am, here are my "guidelines" now it's your turn Republicans and Democrats

But what about Dreamers?

Did you guys read it? It's all legalese vagueness, but it seems as if they are aiming at multiple, targeted programs within this legalization program.

The requirements are more than reasonable, but an aged out Dreamer, for example, who already is assimilated, has paid all taxes and hasn't criminal violations or behavior, technically, is prima facie eligible. Then there is also prospective eligibility, just like DACA for future qualifying individuals. It looks as if the 8 yrs in temporary status are also meant to buy individuals time to meet the requirements, monetary and otherwise. Funny how there's not a mention of this updated print anywhere in the media...for now.

This is for everyone, and it seems decent. It's just sad to think of those people that will die while waiting to become permanent residents. It'll be perfect if the waiting time was shorter.

8 years!? that's a joke, right? i have been in the US illegally for almost 8 years. does that count? If it counts from the date of application onward 8 years, i will never be able to get to medical school!

This was from May 2011....

••After eight years, individuals will be allowed to become legal permanent residents, and could eventually become citizens five years after this;
••Applicants currently waiting outside the country to become legal permanent residents, as is legally required, would be eligible to receive their visas before individuals in the legalization program could apply for permanent residence.
That is, illegal immigrants who complete all the requirements of the legalization program will have to go to the back of the line.

So in the 8 year period will those who benefit be able to work and get ID's? Or would they have to wait the 8 years AND let those "waiting in line" to get legal in the US first. As it stands the system is extremely backlogged and backward and to say that they will have to wait for those already in line will take to say the least many years, decades if you are from Mexico!?

So it is idiotic for them to say that "after" 8 years they will be able to apply for LPR, but they also state that people already in line will have priority for visas. If so, like I said, you can add many-a-more years or decades to the "8" year wait time, in order for those already in line to adjust.
So which one is it?! Bunch of num-nuts.

No, it isn't. I read in its entirety as recently as June of this year (before DACA was announced), and it was a general statement without numbers. Its content has been updated, but the publishing date has remained the same.

It's tricky, after "registering" , as in DACA, you'd be given employment authorization and protection from deportation for 8 yrs, while you either wait to become eligible for the legalization timeline OR you become eligible to pursue LPR status by other means (family petition, etc). I've been here for nearly 24 yrs, and waiting for another 13-15 at the "end of the line" doesn't seem fair at all, especially as I am a prouductive member of society who's been paying taxes for a very, very long time.