Illegal immigrants may get US residenship in 8 years

Washington: The White House is circulating a draft immigration plan that would allow some 11 million illegal immigrants to become legal permanent residents in the US within a span of just eight years, a media report said on Sunday.

A new ‘fraud-proof’ identification card would prove their legal residence in the country. And, within eight years of this the immigrants could apply for a green card to obtain legal permanent residence if they learn English and “the history and government of the United States.” They would also have to pay back taxes, the report said.

With green card in hand, the immigrants would then be on a path to apply for US citizenship.

News of this new legislation comes when members in both chambers of Congress are drafting their own version of a new immigration bill, it said.

In his first term, Obama often deferred to Congress on drafting and advancing major legislation, including the Affordable Care Act.

Two weeks ago in Las Vegas, while outlining his immigration plans, Obama made clear that he would not wait too long for Congress to get moving.