Reform Bill Hotly Debated By Immigrants

by KYW's Kim Glovas

The immigration bill may be sidetracked for awhile, but the debate will remain. One part of that debate is the proposed point system for immigrants. 

Temple University professor Jaya Ramji-Nogales is a specialist on immigration law. She says the immigration reform bill will create an uneven socio-economic situation where those who are better educated and more fluent in English will be more sought after:

"It's going to provide a legal immigration track for folks. Our current immigration system has some emphasis on skills, labor skills, and some on family reunification. The new bill is going to shift the balance toward job skills."

Ramji-Nogales says less skilled workers will be able to come into the country for two years at a time, and can renew as many times as they want. But she adds, they must return after every two years to their home country for one year.