Schumer-Graham Blueprint – What’s In It?


Last Friday, Senators Schumer and Graham wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post, sketching out their blueprint for comprehensive immigration reform. (See: The Right Way to Mend Immigration, by Charles Schumer and Lindsey Graham, Washington Post, 19.Mar.2010) According to the Senators, the four pillars of their plan are:

  • “requiring biometric Social Security cards to ensure that illegal workers cannot get jobs;
  • fulfilling and strengthening our commitments on border security and interior enforcement;
  • creating a process for admitting temporary workers; and
  • implementing a tough but fair path to legalization for those already here.” [bullet points added]

One of the most encouraging passages in the Schumer-Graham article indicates their clear understanding that we must balance the need for secure borders with the imperatives of economic security. The good Senators opined that “ensuring economic prosperity requires attracting the world’s best and brightest. Our legislation would award green cards to immigrants who receive a PhD or master’s degree in science, technology, engineering or math from a U.S. university. It makes no sense to educate the world’s future inventors and entrepreneurs and then force them to leave when they are able to contribute to our economy.” Hold that thought, Senators! This is something we all can agree on, and I couldn’t have said it better myself!



Disclaimer: The information provided here is of a general nature and may not apply to any specific or particular circumstance. It is not to be construed as legal advice nor presumed indefinitely up to date.