A girl holds a sign during an immigration reform event in Dallas. Many U.S. citizens and legal residents have been separated from their families because of immigration laws. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

White House Has Plan for Immigration Reform

Barack Obama promised to change the immigration program if he was elected president. Hispanic voters helped him win the election last year.

Changes in immigration polices were an important issue for Hispanic voters. Obama took office January 20th.

The Obama administration has not said if it would propose immigration legislation this year. But the White House has outlined what it would like to do.

The White House has said it would crack down on employers who hire workers who are here illegally. It would support a system to bring people out of the shadows. That means illegal immigrants would be given a chance to pay a fine.

The illegal immigrants also would have a chance to learn English, prove they are not criminals and go to the back of the line to become citizens.

The president’s plan also promises to work with Mexico to cut down on the number of illegal immigrants from that country. The United States and Mexico share a long border.

Many immigrants cross the border illegally from Mexico.

An estimated 40 to 45 percent of illegal immigrants came here legally. They overstayed their visas. 

Labor unions have their own plan
The president recently got a boost from two major labor organizations. The groups represent workers who are members of unions.

The two labor groups have developed their own plan. Their plan may make it easier for Obama to bring about changes.

About 12 million people are believed to be living and working in the United States illegally. They represent about 5 percent of the people who have jobs. The new plan would offer a way for those people now here to become legal. 

The plan was announced by the A.F.L.-C.I.O and Change to Win. They announced the plan on April 14th. 

The labor groups say immigration reform is important to improve the economy. They say employers have taken advantage of illegal workers. That has caused damage to the overall economy, the groups said.

Part of the plan is a proposal to create a commission. The commission would decide how many workers are needed from other countries. Its decision would be based on figures that show where labor shortages exist.

The labor groups also are calling for proper control of the borders. But they say an “enforcement-only” policy will not work.