Today the "Gang of 8" lawmakers may release their draft bill. Even Sen. Marco Rubio is said to support this negotiated compromise to immigration reform.
The bill is rumored to address topics previously reported in the media, including a ten-year waiting period for undocumented immigrants; a multi-million dollar increase in border security funding; and special provisions for "DREAMers," or children who do not have legal status but have been raised and educated as Americans. The bill may also include special provisions for agricultural and other workers. Businesses are pushing for increased visa eligibility for engineers and tech workers, which would help immigrant entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, the bill could also end the "diversity visa" program and reduce the availability of visas for family members of U.S. citizens.
However, even when the Senate bill is released, this first draft could look significantly different from the final version. A poll by the Washington Post shows popular support for a "path to citizenship," but that issue is still contentious within Congress.
