He unveiled his own plan, but he bill he's pushing for is a Senate bill that was proposed days ago by a bipartisan (that means Republicans too) group. President Obama is making immigration a major priority, but he won't face as much opposition from Republicans, now that they have to get the Hispanic vote back. As the article says, if they [i]don't[/i] move quickly, he will introduce his own bill. [url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/01/28/read-senators-release-their-plan-for-immigration-reform/?wprss=rss_business]Here's the full text of the bill.[/url] Paraphrased the summary introduction: [quote][u]Four Legislative Pillars:[/u] 1. Create a tough but fair path to citizenship that is contingent on securing borders and making sure legal immigrants have left when required. 2. Reform legal immigration to put more importance on characteristics that would help the economy (and society). 3. Create effective employment verification to prevent identity theft and make sure no unauthorized immigrants are hired. 4. Improve the process that integrates future workers into the workforce, while making sure American workers have their jobs.[/quote] The first part addresses legalization: [quote][u]1. The Path to Legalization[/u] How easy it is to be legalized and how quickly the path is instated depend on two things: first is securing our borders and the second is addressing visa overstays. [u]Border Patrol training will be increased and more funding will be given[/u] to provide tech, infrastructure, and personnel. Agents will be trained not to racially profile. Surveillance radios and UAV's will also be improved and put into action. More agents will be posted at ports. Top [u]politicians in border states will be given more say[/u] in making recommendations and monitoring progress. [i]While[/i] this is happening, illegal immigrants will be [u]required to register[/u] with the government. They will be [u]forced to pay their financial debts[/u] in the form of fines and back taxes. They will [u]take background checks[/u], and those with certain [u]criminal records will be deported[/u]. Those who make the cut will be put on probationary status and [u]will not have access to government benefits[/u]. When security measures have finally been completed, probationary immigrants will take another background check and then [u]be sent to the back of the line[/u], behind other immigrants who have been waiting to enter the country.[/quote] (Emphasis mine) [url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/01/29/wonkbook-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-senates-immigration-reform-plan/]Edit: here's a compilation of everything you need to know about it, courtesy of Washington Post's Wonkblog.[/url] [url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/01/28/the-5-most-important-sentences-in-the-senates-immigration-plan/?wprss=rss_business]"The 5 Most Important Sentences" in the plan.[/url]