Immigration and firm news

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010 S. 3982 Introduced by Senators Menendez and Leahy

Today, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010 (“CIRA”) (S. 3932), the first Senate proposal on immigration since 2007. The bill would put the millions of people already in the U.S. without status on a path to legal status. Certain targets would be required before those without status who come forward and register could become lawful permanent residents. Targets include things like reducing the backlogs for those immigrants in valid status or who have already been waiting for years but have been stuck in the quota. CIRA includes various enforcement and border security measures, mandates employers use E-Verify, increases penalties for illegal immigration, and makes important needed changes to the legal immigration system. CIRA adopts provisions from DREAM, AgJobs, and the Uniting Families Acts. S.3932 compliments a House bill introduced several months ago called the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act (“CIR-ASAP”) (H.R. 4321). Meanwhile, President Obama has expressed his support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform as essential for our economy and national security. Unfortunately, neither bill stands a chance of passage before the November elections. More on the details of CIRA coming soon.