Lieberman Proposes Legalization and Other Immigration Reforms

On the eve of the first-ever bilingual Presidential debate, Senator Joseph Lieberman took the opportunity to promote his multifaceted agenda for US immigration reform, focusing particularly on issues affecting the Hispanic community.

Lieberman lent his support to what some consider the most controversial immigration plan on the horizon - amnesty for illegal aliens. Though he had already expressed support for the idea in June, Lieberman has now released specifics detailing how legalization would work. The plan would allow undocumented immigrants who have lived in the US for five years, paid taxes, and followed the law the right to become residents under a one-time "earned legalization" program.

In addition to amnesty, Lieberman proposed the creation of a temporary work visa program for unskilled and semiskilled workers to fill labor shortages in the construction and service industries.

Lieberman's reform plan would also raise the cap on family visas for spouses and minor children, relax income requirements and application fees, and appropriate a larger share of the budget to Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Finally, Lieberman called for the creation of an American Dream Fund, a public-private partnership that would raise money to create new programs to teach English as a second language and expand existing programs, citing significant backlogs for such classes throughout the nation.

Lieberman pledged to "end the deadlock" on the acceptance of matricula consular ID cards as President, saying he would encourage banks to recognize the cards "instead of forcing undocumented immigrants further into the shadows."

"American immigration is under threat today, and George Bush retreated long ago from his campaign promise of reform," Lieberman said. "As President, I'll make sure that immigrants once again have the chance to realize the American Dream that brought my grandparents, wife, and so many others here in search of opportunity."

Lieberman also criticized the President Bush's handling of immigration reform talks with Mexican President Vicente Fox since 9-11 and said he vowed to resume those talks immediately if he were to take office as President.