Politics & Government

Do You Agree With the Landmark Immigration Bill Passed by U.S. Senate?

The U.S. Senate voted Thursday 68 to 32 overhaul the nation's immigration laws.

The U.S. Senate voted to overhaul immigration laws, moving one step closer to allowing undocumented immigrants, who entered the U.S. before 2012 a 13-year path to citizenship.

Fourteen Republicans joined a united Democratic caucus in supporting the bill, which is backed by the White House and has the potential to become the crowning legislative achievement of President Barack Obama's second term, reported CNN

Next up the bill must get approval from the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives.

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In a White House statement, Obama hailed the Senate vote as "a critical step" toward fixing what he called a broken immigration system. He labeled the measure that now goes to the Republican-controlled House a compromise, adding that "we just need Congress to finish the job."

The 1,200-page bill carries a $50 billion price tag. It would double the number of U.S. Border Patrol agents along the southern border and require the construction of 700 miles of fencing there. It also would place new burdens on employers, who would be required to check the legal status of all job applicants using the government’s E-Verify system, according to the Washington Post.

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It is estimated there are 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the country.

In Massachusetts, it is estimated there are almost 100,000 undocumented immigrants. Framingham is home to one of the largest undocumented immigrant populations in the Commonwealth.

A solid majority of Americans say undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. who meet certain requirements show be allowed to stay legally, but the public is divided over whether improvements in border security should come first, according to Pew Research.

English proficiency tops the requirements that Americans most think undocumented immigrants should have to meet in order to stay in the U.S. legally, according to Pew Research.

"It was extremely powerful to hear every senator say aloud their vote," said Carolina Bortolleto, 25, who arrived with her parents from Brazil 15 years ago. She graduated from college in 2010, but realized it would do her little good.

"I saw no future for myself because I couldn't use my degree," Bortolleto told the Huffington Post, and that inspired her to join the fight for immigration reform.

The legislation, if it passes the House, would allow "dreamers" like Bortolleto to become U.S. citizens.

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Do you support the immigration bill that passed the senate? Post your thoughts in the comment section.



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