Democrats to Offer Plan To Reform Immigration Split Families, Worker Rights Addressed _____Recently in Congress_____ • Patients' Rights Accord Reached (The Washington Post, Aug 2, 2001) • Bush's Energy Plan Is Endorsed by House (The Washington Post, Aug 2, 2001) • Senate Passes Mexican Truck Rules (The Washington Post, Aug 2, 2001) • Senate Faith Initiative Backer To Drop Disputed Provisions (The Washington Post, Aug 2, 2001) • Bush Urged to Negotiate Global Warming Treaty (The Washington Post, Aug 2, 2001) • More on Congress What's Your Opinion? E-Mail This Article Printer-Friendly Version Subscribe to The Post 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------