Democrats to Offer Plan To Reform Immigration
Split Families, Worker Rights Addressed
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By Cheryl W. Thompson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 2, 2001; Page A02


House and Senate Democrats today will announce an immigration reform plan
that includes an earned legalization program, family reunification and an
enhanced temporary worker program.

A set of Democratic "immigration principles," a copy of which was obtained
by The Washington Post, say immigration reform should apply to all
immigrants, regardless of their country of origin.

"We want to ensure that whatever debate occurs around immigrants, that it
includes everyone of all nationalities," said Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez
(D-Ill.), who declined to discuss details of the proposal. "We want people
who are paying taxes to be able to adjust their status."

Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.), Rep. Richard A. Gephardt
(D-Mo.) and other Democratic lawmakers have scheduled an afternoon news
conference to unveil the principles they want incorporated into President
Bush's legal-residency plan for immigrants.

Under the Democrats' principles, immigrants eligible for the earned
legalization program must have work histories, ties to the community and no
criminal record, and they must be enrolled in U.S. civics and English
courses.

The Democrats' family reunification plan would raise ceilings for family and
employment-based visas.

The Democratic principles say an enhanced temporary worker program should be
available to people who want to work in the United States either temporarily
or permanently. They say participants should be given the same labor
protections as American workers, including the right to unionize and change
jobs. They say participants should be allowed to move freely between the
United States and their home country.

"I've urged my colleagues to recognize that a broad and comprehensive
legalization proposal is the best possible option," Gutierrez said.
"Whatever benefits and relief are offered should be given to all immigrants.
Equity should be at the heart of our immigration policy."

The House-Senate Democratic proposal was developed by a task force created
by Gephardt. Gutierrez, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.) and Rep. Silvestre
Reyes (D-Tex.) co-chaired the panel.

Gephardt formed the group two weeks after word leaked that Bush was
considering a plan to grant legal residency to many of the millions of
undocumented immigrants from Mexico living in the United States. The
president said last week he might expand the plan to include immigrants from
other countries, but that he opposes a "blanket amnesty."

Angela Kelley, deputy director of the National Immigration Forum, an
immigrant rights group, said she is pleased that immigration issues are
becoming bipartisan and that "both parties see the importance of these folks
as new voters and the need for new policies."

"You've got the Democrats saying yes, yes, yes, and the Republicans out
front to change immigration," Kelley said. "That's a winning formula. You
can see the beginning of the center forming."



© 2001 The Washington Post Company


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