Transcript
AUDREY SINGER: We are at a time of great debate about the role of immigrants in our society and economy. Congress and the Bush Administration are in the process of working out the details of how to structure a new immigration system. This is a highly charged debate with no simple solutions. Immigration is not an issue that divides neatly along party or special interest lines.
The current discussion around immigration reform comes at a time when the United States has more foreign-born residents that ever before. The nearly 36 million immigrants in the United States make up 12 percent of the U.S. population. Estimates show that roughly one-third of the immigrant population resides here with legal permanent residency, one-third are naturalized U.S. citizens, and one-third are estimated to be here without legal status.
Other statistics relevant to this discussion include the fact that immigrants are one in seven workers, one in five low-wage workers. They represent half of all new entrants to the U.S. labor force, and one in five children living in the United States has at least one foreign-born parent.
At the end of last month, House Representatives Luis Gutierrez and Jeff Flake introduced immigration reform legislation called the Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act, or the STRIVE Act, which addresses the elements of comprehensive immigration reform. The bill includes provisions for border and interior enforcements, an employment verification system and new worker program, visa reforms, and an earned legalization program. This morning's discussion will focus on the current House proposal and how to change our immigration system to function better.
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