Democrats, republicans reach immigration reform compromise

WASHINGTON, D.C. — For millions of immigrants living and working in the country illegally, attaining the American dream might just have become easier. Wednesday, in a rare Capitol Hill show of bi-partisanship, democrats and republican senators were working together to find a deal that would create a path for citizenship.

Democrats, republicans and the White House finally have something they can all agree on.

They’ve reached a compromise on immigration reform, to put the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in America on a path to citizenship.

This agreement we just reached is the best possible chance we will have in years to secure our borders and bring millions of people out of the shadows and into the sunshine of America.

The people who will get to participate in this program will be American, on our terms, not theirs.

Under the terms, illegal immigrants who arrived here before January first of this year would be issued a “z” visa.

After paying a five thousand dollar fine over eight years, and returning to their home country for a visa stamp, they guaranteed permanent citizenship.

The deal also calls for major security improvement along the border.

It’s a bill where people who live here in our country will be treated without amnesty, but without animosity.

The plan would fundamentally change the way green cards are awarded — with a point system based on education and skill level over family connections. That drew hundreds of protesters in Los Angeles Thursday, who say that change will tear families apart.

The president says he wants to sign immigration reform as soon as possible, but this is not at all a done deal. Conservatives say it’s still too close

To amnesty, and many liberal groups say the fines and the point system are unfair.