Democrats and Republicans in Congress are promoting the new Bipartisan Framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, which will be introduced as legislation in the Senate. The President is expected to speak about immigration reform in his State of the Union speech as well. The POPVOX team thought it was a good time to review past comprehensive immigration reform efforts supported by former Presidents and Congressional lawmakers. Here is an overview of some past immigration reform measures introduced in the last 25 years:
(Source: Wikipedia)
Recent History of Immigration Reform (1986 to present)
2013: Bipartisan Framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
A bipartisan group of Senators have proposed a comprehensive set of immigration reform principles, which include giving immigrants a path to citizenship, strengthening border security, and reforming our legal immigration system to reunite families and strengthen our economy while protecting American workers.
Weigh in on the proposed Framework
2007: Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act
Introduced Sen. Reid, supported by President Bush, but wasn't passed by Congress.
Would have provided legal status and a path to citizenship for the approximately 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States.
2005: The Real ID Act
Introduced by Rep. Sensenbrenner, signed into law by President Bush Jr.
Required use of certain IDs to access government buildings, open bank accounts and board planes; established national standards for state drivers licenses; created more physical barriers along the boarders; and updated and made stricter the laws regarding the asylum and deportation of immigrants for terrorist activity
2005: The Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005
Introduced by Rep. Sensenbrenner, passed by the House, but did not pass the Senate.
Never became law, widely regarded as catalyst for 2006 immigration protests throughout U.S.
Would have established over 700 miles of barriers created along U.S.-Mexico border
2001: The DREAM Act
First introduced in 2001; and reintroduced in 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009 and most recently in 2010, when it was supported by President Obama.
The 2010 DREAM Act authorizes the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain alien students who are long-term United States residents and who entered the United States as children.
1996: The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
Enacted on September 30, 1996 by President Clinton
Immigrants unlawfully present in the US for 180 days but less than 365 days must remain outside the United States for three years unless they obtain a pardon. If they are in the US for 365 days or more, they must stay outside the United States for ten years unless they obtain a waiver. If they return to the US without the pardon, they may not apply for a waiver for a period of ten years.
1990: The Immigration Act
Introduced by Sen. Ted Kennedy, and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush
Significantly increased legal immigration quotas; tripled number of visas for priority workers and immigrants; removed homosexuality as grounds for exclusion; and provided exceptions for English testing process.
1986: The Immigration Reform and Control Act
Bipartisan legislation, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan
Created sanctions and penalties against employers who knowingly hired illegal immigrants; provided amnesty to illegal immigrants already in the US; increased border security
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
