The proposed immigration reform bill has caused a lot of disagreement between party leaders, but the president is still committed to pass comprehensive immigration legislation. The immigration reform bill will create a pathway to citizenship for current illegal immigrants while tightening security at the U.S. border.

The bill was created with bipartisan participation, but it’s contriversy has divided the GOP. Conservative senators believe the proposed immigration reform bill will provide amnesty for illegal immigrant workers. President Bush disagrees with this view because the bill will require illegal immigrants to pay a penalty for breaking the law and undergo a lengthy
process of gaining citizenship.

The Z visa is part of the immigration reform measure and would require illegal immigrants here before January 1, 2007 to apply for a Z visa as part of the pathway to gaining citizenship in the United States. Illegal immigrants would have to pay a fine, hold a job in the U.S. legally while paying taxes, learn English, then leave the country while their application is being processed and reenter the United States legally, after which they
may apply for citizenship.

The immigration reform measure was pulled from the floor by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) because it fell short the 15 votes of the number needed to move the measure onto final passage. Reid is hoping the president can deliver the Republican votes necessary to the return the bill to the floor for further discussion.