In a democratic country law-making is an important and extensive public issue. Law-makers not only descend from a popular background, but they also cater to the needs of the people and the nation as a whole. In the USA, considered the oldest democracy in the world, at the federal level, legislation consists exclusively of bills/ Acts passed by the Congress of the United States and the Senate which are either signed into law by the President or passed by Congress after a presidential veto.
Like every other bill which touches upon all facets of American life, the immigration bill in the USA is also important, particularly keeping in mind that immigration in the 21st Century has posed a big challenge to America's national security.
A number of immigration bills have been passed in the American Parliament throughout the ages to implement sound national immigration policies ( Please refer to Immigration Law in USA , Index 1 Topic 7 ).
A brief overview can be made here on the latest immigration bills in the US.
• H.R. Bill 4437 (The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005) Also known as the "Sensenbrenner Bill," (after the name of Wisconsin Republican Jim Sensenbrenner), the bill is presently being considered upon by the United States Senate, following amendment by the Senate Judiciary Committee ( Please refer to New Immigration Law in USA , Index 18, Topic 23 ).
Moreover, in December 2005, the US House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth (South Dakota) and Congressman Bob Goodlatte (Virginia) to add amendment to the same Act to abolish the immigration lottery system.
• S. 2611 (Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act or CIRA of 2006) deals with immigration reform. Sponsored by Senator Arlen Specter, the bill was passed on May 25, 2006, by a vote of 62-36. It proposes to increase security along the United States-Mexico border, to allow long-time illegal immigrants to gain citizenship with some restrictions, and to increase the number of guest workers over and above those currently residing in the US through a new "blue card" visa program ( Please refer to New Immigration Law in USA , Index 18, Topic 23 ).
