October 14 2002

Last week Dick Gephardt (D-MO), introduced the Earned Legalization and Family Unification Act of 2002. The leglislation would permit undocumented immigrants who have resided in the United States for five years and worked for at least two years, to apply to adjust their status to obtain a green card. As with all applicants for green cards, applicants would have to undergo extensive background checks. Applicants would also have to show no outstanding tax liability, or that they have rectified such liability.

Presenting the proposed legislation, House Democratic Leader Gephardt called it a "first step." He went on to explain that the legislation "will reinvigorate the immigration reform debate. And it acknowledges that we can add to our nation's security by bringing undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and into the light of greater accountability and assistance in our war on terrorism."