Representative Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) believes that immigration will be an important issue in the upcoming 2004 presidential election.  He says that while Congress is unlikely to enact immigration legislation in 2004, an election-year debate could lead to reforms in immigration legislation in 2005.

Representative Kolbe and fellow Arizona lawmakers Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Representative Jeff Flake (R-AZ) support a guest worker program that would allow immigrants to temporarily work in the US as well as provide illegal immigrants with a way to obtain legal status.

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The following bills were recently introduced:

H.R.3651: To account for all aliens unlawfully present in the United States by providing incentives for such aliens to register with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to provide immunity from criminal prosecution for the employer of such an alien if the employer pays all taxes and penalties owed by reason of such employment, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Issa, Darrell E. [CA-49] (introduced 12/8/2003)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 12/8/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R.3700: Private Bill for the relief of Benjamin Cabrera and Londy Patricia Cabrera.
Sponsor: Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille [CA-34] (introduced 12/8/2003)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 12/8/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

For a review of all the immigration bills introduced this year, visit our legislative chart at www.visalaw.com/advocacy.html.