A bipartisan pair of U.S. senators, Democrat Krysten Sinema of Arizona and Republican Thom Tillis of North Carolina, have reportedly developed a draft immigration deal that seeks to offer a pathway to citizenship for “Dreamers” while allocating billions for border security. This deal comes after years of legislative gridlock on immigration reform.
Key Elements of the Draft Immigration Deal
- Pathway to Citizenship for Dreamers
The agreement would offer a pathway to citizenship for approximately 2 million undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children (often referred to as Dreamers). This is significant following a federal appeals court ruling that declared the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program illegal. - Increased Border Security Funding
The draft allocates between $25 billion and $40 billion for border security measures. This includes increased pay for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. It also extends the controversial Trump-era policy known as Title 42, which allows immigration authorities to expel migrants at the border based on public health concerns. Title 42 is set to end soon after a federal judge struck it down, but this deal aims to extend it. - Senate Approval and Bipartisan Support
For this agreement to move forward, any proposed legislation would require at least 60 votes in the Senate, which would necessitate support from both parties. Immigration advocates have cautiously welcomed the framework, seeing it as a potential breakthrough after years of stalled discussions. - White House Support
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed the President’s commitment to working with Congress on a permanent solution to protect Dreamers and others, including farmworkers and essential workers, and to modernize the immigration system.
This draft marks a significant step forward in the push for immigration reform, though it remains to be seen whether it will gain sufficient support in the Senate to become law.
