• The immigration debate in the United States refers to the issue of illegal aliens entering the U.S. Often the debate focusses on workers crossing into the United States via the U.S./Mexican border.

  Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the appointment of Alan Bersin to the post of 'border czar' during a visit to El Paso, Texas on April 15, 2009. Bersin, who held a similar position under President Bill Clinton, will be tasked with controlling illegal immigration and drug violence along the U.S.-Mexican border.L.A. Times: Border czar will try to repeat his success (April 15, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the Government-body that is responsible for immigration and naturalization
  2. USCIS is a division of U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  3. Boeing has been awarded a $20 million contract to build a "virtual" fence along the borderBusinessWeek: Limits to the 'Virtual Fence' (February 24, 2008)
  4. Since 2003, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates 8.7 million illegal immigrants in the U.S.Christian Science Monitor: Illegal immigrants in the US: How many are there? (May 16, 2006)
  5. The Pew Hispanic Center estimates 11.5 million to 12 million "unauthorized migrants"Christian Science Monitor: Illegal immigrants in the US: How many are there? (May 16, 2006)

• PoliciesThe U.S. Immigration Debate: [http://www.cfr.org/publication/10210/us_immigration_debate.html#2 The U.S. Immigration Debate]

  • The McCain-Kennedy proposal: Proposed by Senators John McCain and Edward Kennedy, the legislation would grant a three-year work permit to illegal aliens at a cost of $1,000. The permit expires in six-years, whereupon the individual can apply for permanent work status provided that they have not broken any laws and have studied English

  • The Specter proposal: Proposed by Arlen Specter, the legislation would disallow any avenue to a permanent work permit. Rather, this proposal would allow employers to sponsor illegal aliens into a guest worker program. In order for an employer to qualify, they would have to prove that they attempted to hire U.S. workers first.

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