The deal centers on a compromise offered by Republicans that included a temporary worker program backed by
President George W. Bush. It also would allow illegal immigrants who have been in the United States more than five years a chance to become citizens if they meet a series of requirements and pay a fine

Better I have remained here illegally.............I could be a citizen................People who try to remiain legal and go for legal process to obtain green Card or h1B has many hurdles that govt has placed................God Bless America.

House will kill the bill.

thugged_out

Nepali government should also grant citizenships to all Indians selling potatoes in the narrow lanes in Kathmandu for more than 10 years.

hey Thaha_Panyen don't make fun of indians yaar.indians are working so hard in nepal.
indians are taking up the job that nepali do not want to do. in fact nepali are lazy or consider doing menial job a very low. then this same nepali come to USA and is prepared to do the same job they never think of doing in nepal.
even worse staying illegally
ar least these indians are helping nepalis in some way. i wouldn't make fun of them dude.

US parties agree immigration deal

There have been a series of protests against tougher laws
Republicans and Democrats in the US Senate have reached a last-minute compromise on a new immigration bill.
The breakthrough could clear the way for approval of legislation granting millions of illegal immigrants the right to stay in the US.

President George Bush said he was encouraged by the development.

The deal, which came after weeks of wrangling, now requires a full Senate vote that could take place before Friday night.

"I'm pleased that Republicans and Democrats in the United States Senate are working together to get a comprehensive immigration bill," President Bush said in a statement welcoming the accord.

Various requirements

The deal would allow illegal immigrants who arrived in the US five years ago or earlier to be allowed to stay subject to various criteria, including a criminal background check.

Those who have lived in the US for less than five years but more than two years would be able to get a temporary work visa - but they first must leave the country and would be fingerprinted and processed on their return.

They would be given priority in applying for US residency over future immigrants entering as temporary workers.

However, under the bill, millions of illegal immigrants who have been in the country for less than two years would be required to return to their countries of origin.

Conservative senator Sam Brownback called the immigration debate "probably the most divisive issue in America today".

"I hope this compromise ends up bringing us together, and I believe it can," he said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4885672.stm

Pandit ..are you an illegal Mexican ?

I think the whole issue of illegal immigration is only going to be an election agenda / propaganda for both parties. It is not a mystery that illegal immigration is very much beneficial for the economy. Not to mention the $$$ illegal immigrants put in Social Security fund that they will never see in their lives. America and American culture is materialistic and anything that will add more bucks in their banks will only get bigger. So, I don't see the issue of illegal immigration getting resolved but only increase in the future.

hello khaobaadi G. you rite Pandit is an illegal Mexican ? look how happy he is.

Good for you Pandit.
bad for me cause i am a law abiding citizen.
i think i should start killing Americans. maybe they would then make me their President.

bornfree,

i was trying to make the point that if illegal but hard workers from Nepal get citizenship in America, then those hard workers from India should also rewarded in Nepal in the same way. See those Indian labours are also used to Nepali cultures, Nepal chakka jam, strikes, and so so and they have equal rights. I respect them just like I respect any one doing labour in America. I was not making fun of anyone.

Thaha,

Interesting point you make. We shall see how this pans out, hoina?

Nepal is not a country of immigrants. America is America! Country of immigrants! that's why she is different that German, Japan, U.K.

khaobaadi , are u a REFUGEE in CANADA ..............????????????

Being legal and seeing illegals get citizenship certainly sucks.

if this bill doesn't pass then being illegal will suck !!!

This bill is not fair, a person who breaks the rule and stays illegal get legal citizenship... while a person who maintains status , stays legally, pays taxes will have to wait ages to get green card if they want to stay in US and also it is not guarenteed they will get it.

I hope this bill will be killed. They should send all back and make them apply for guest worker permit for return...

I think all illegal immigrant should be given guest worker permit like h1b and then give them citizenship based on their performance and behavior during 4-5 years of gues worker status.

That would be fair for both legal and illegal immigrants.

I do not think current bill is fair for illegal immigrants too, because they said the citizenship willl be give only to good rule following workers who have paid taxes, and almost every illegal immigrant do not pay taxes.... it is like instead of kicking them out directly they are kicking out indirectly... a typical conservative move to make democrats fool....

Prajatantra, Your bill sounds great but as far as I know that’s what this bill is about. Illegal who have been here for more than 5 years can get guest worker visa however they can't apply for green card for the next 6 years. As far as for legal who are in H1 the only good news is that they are making a bill to increase employment based green card from 250,000 to 450,000 a year, which if pass than one can get green card well within a year. However so far these are all the assumptions. No one knows what until all these bills are passed from both house and senate. I think they should pass a bill about green card based on points systems like they have in Canada, which will help lots of nepali students and h1 workers.

Canada, New Zealand and Australia have point system because these countries have a very low populations with respect to the land area. But it is not so in the case of the USA. I don't think the USA will go for points system unless there is a mass exodus of people into another country. And that will probably happen if there comes a day when US $71 = NRs.1 (wishful thinking को पराकाष्ठा .... he, he)

The bill is still being debated in Senate. A "test vote" is schedule for today. But they say the real opposition to the bill comes from the House where the majority is favoring deportation of illegal immigrants.

Slash and Prajatanra jyu, you say you are legal then you don't have anything to worry about. Those of us who are in status at least are not in danger of being deported if we abide by the rules. And if we persevere we may also be on track for the Green Card. We can go back to Nepal and come back without any fear. But it is not so for those of our friends who have been out of status. Many have been here too long, most of them away from their family and children. And I don't think it's unfair to us. Furthermore, the illigal immigrants are not being handed the green cards on a platter .. there are many catches and 'gotcha's. Bush has already said this bill is not an amnesty.