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)

• 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.