The Senate Judiciary subcommittee on immigration and border security is faced with several competing guest-worker bills that are sponsored by lawmakers from Arizona, Texas, Nebraska, and South Dakota.  The first hearing on these bills, held on February 12, 2004, is expected to be part of series of hearings on the various proposals seeking to reduce the number of illegal immigrants entering the country, improve national security, and fill low-skill labor shortages.

The Subcommittee Hearing held on February 12 focused on President Bush’s plan, which proposes to allow foreign workers to obtain a three-year visa that could be renewed for an additional three years.  It does not guarantee permanent residency.

During the hearing, officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) outlined details of the President’s plan, saying that the proposed guest worker program would grant legal status to illegal immigrants who were living in the United States on January 7, 2004.  The officials also said that legal status would be granted to the families of immigrants participating in the program as long as the workers earned enough to provide for their relatives.

The guest workers, who would have to undergo security clearances along with their relatives, would be granted temporary work permits for three years. The officials said that the permits could be renewed several times and that the workers could apply for permanent residency without leaving the United States.

Officials also urge Congress to approve legislation allowing illegal immigrants who participate in the program to travel in and out of the US without restriction. Currently, immigrants without proper documentation are barred from re-entering the country for several years.

DHS officials testifying before the subcommittee were Asa Hutchison, an undersecretary at the DHS and Eduardo Aguirre, director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services.  Others testifying on behalf of the Bush administration included several Republican senators.

Another bill to be presented before the subcommittee is one introduced by Senator John Cornyn of Texas, which would reduce the number of immigrants admitted into the US.  Like the President’s proposal, it does not guarantee permanent residency for temporary visa holders. 

A third bill is sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Carolina and Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.  It proposes to create a limited guest-worker program, as well as to give legal status to undocumented immigrants who can prove they have worked in the US for at least four years.