White House proposal: Legal status if each illegal immigrant pays $10,000 as fine


Fakir Selim, New York



"The issue of giving legal status to the 12 million undocumented immigrants, including thousands of Bangladeshis, living in USA can be considered by fining them $10,000 each on an average."

This was mentioned in a proposal made by the White House recently regarding US immigration reform law. The proposal was not officially disclosed, but leaked out somehow, a source close to the White House said.

White House spokesman Scot Stanzel termed this proposal as a negotiation document. He said the plan of deportation to the 12 million undocumented immigrants is not realistic. He said President Bush is sincerely considering of solving the problems of the undocumented immigrants in a realistic way. The President, however, does not want to give amnesty, he added.

The major part of US citizens also wants the illegal immigrants to be given a chance of legalization. A recent poll regarding the issue showed that 78 per cent of US citizens said they want an acceptable and realistic law which provides the undocumented immigrants an opportunity to get legal status.

In 2006, the much-talked-about comprehensive immigration reform proposal raised a ray of hope in the minds of the 12 million illegal immigrants. But the proposal died before being well shaped following lack of consensus among the lawmakers. Since then the pro-immigrants advocates and organizations kept their demands continued for an immigration reform to give the illegal immigrants legal status.

On May 1, 2008, the immigrants organized a grand rally at the Union Square, New York and marched toward the Immigration Building. More than 1000 immigrants took part in the rally and demanded of the Bush administration to immediately pass a bill to legalize the 12 million undocumented immigrants living in the USA for years.

They urged the candidates of the Republican and the Democrat parties not to forget about the illegal immigrants' saga. The immigration advocates said the undocumented immigrants have been living and working in different parts of the USA getting minimum pay, but they have been playing the most vital role for the economic growth of the country. If they are not given a chance for legalization, it would be injustice to them, they added.

A reliable source said Democrat Senator Edward Kennedy is working on a proposal on behalf of the undocumented immigrants. He said if the 12 million immigrants can be given a chance of legalization, the instable and chaotic situation regarding this issue would be solved, the economy of the country would get a speed as well.

Few conservative lawmakers are, however, strongly opposing the proposals of giving illegal immigrants any chance of getting legal status. Many conservative lawmakers like Republican Brayan Bilbray of California are constantly making comments against the illegal immigrants which in fact kept the issue unresolved. Edward Kennedy, Senate majority leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are supposed to hold a meeting with President Bush soon regarding this. A strong debate on this issue is going to be held in last two weeks of May. The millions of immigrants are eagerly waiting to see the issue solved which may fulfill their long lasted dream of an US Green Card or a Passport.


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