The bipartisan gang of eight, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), John McCain (R-AZ), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY)) introduced the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013.”  This is the most comprehensive immigration reform effort in three decades. 

The legislation allows the estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States to apply for citizenship, tightens security along the nation’s border, creates a low-skilled guest worker program, and mandates all employers use the E-Verify system over a five-year phase-in period. The bill establishes a new, low-skilled guest visa program (W visa) that would allow low-skilled workers for jobs in hospitality, meat industry, construction and other industries. 

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The program would begin April 2015, with an annual cap on the maximum number of registered positions that may be approved each year.  This limit for the first four years is 20,000 in year one; 35,000 in year two; 55,000 in year three and 75,000 in year four.  For the following years, an annual cap will be calculated according to a statistical formula based on the rate of change of new job openings, the number of unemployed U.S. workers and other factors.    

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