Immigration bill takes shape behind scenes; debate begins in late May

Published: 2007-05-16

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Negotiators were closer May 16 to crafting a Senate immigration bill that could be introduced as soon as May 23. The bill seemed likely to include a legalization plan for most of the nation's illegal immigrants, but was viewed as far from ideal by the director of migration and refugee policy for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and other supporters of a comprehensive immigration reform bill. Director Kevin Appleby said that among the problems it would make it much more difficult for relatives to join their family members in the United States, making spouses and children wait eight years before they could immigrate legally. Other provisions would eliminate some categories of family visas, such as those for adult children of legal residents, and cut in half the number of visas available to the parents of adult immigrants. On May 15 Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., postponed for the second time in a week plans to put an immigration bill up for consideration on the Senate floor.

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