Jon Kyl Proposes Something That Is Kind of, Sort of, Like the DREAM Act

By Matthew Hendley Tue., Nov. 27 2012 at 10:55 AM

Kyl says this special pathway to citizenship creates "no special pathway to citizenship."

Now that outgoing Republican Senator Jon Kyl doesn't have to rely on votes from the anti-immigrant crowd, he and Texas Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison have introduced a bill that's kind of, sort of, similar to -- but definitely isn't -- the DREAM Act.

Whereas versions of the DREAM Act have provided a way for certain people who were brought to the United States illegally when they were young to become citizens after six years, the ACHIEVE Act allows the same group of immigrants to stay in the country for 10 years before getting the chance to become a permanent resident, and eventually, a citizen.

According to details from Kyl's office, his plan sets up three types of visa levels these immigrants could qualify for, if they meet the requirements:

W-1 Status: Those with a W-1 nonimmigrant visa would attend school to earn a bachelor's, associate's, vocational/technical, or advanced degree, or serve in the U.S. military. A W-1 visa holder would have 6 years to get a degree or enlist to serve four years in the military.

W-2 Status: After completing all W-1 education/military service requirements, a recipient can obtain a W-2 visa, which is a four-year nonimmigrant work visa (also allowed, study toward a master's degree or higher).

W-3 Status: After completing four years of work while holding a W-2 visa, a recipient can then apply for a (permanent) nonimmigrant (no special pathway to citizenship) visa.

While there's no "special pathway" to citizenship after doing everything correctly for 10 years, those people do have a pathway to citizenship -- to "get in line" for a green card, which would allow them to apply for citizenship.

The criteria for qualifying under this act are slightly different from what's been proposed in recent versions of the DREAM Act, which you can see by clicking here.

In a joint statement from Kyl and Hutchinson, the senators make it very clear that there's "no automatic path to citizenship," and it also "prohibits the awarding of additional federal benefits."

Tags:

achieve act, arizona, dream act, green card, immigration, jon kyl, kay bailey hutchinson, obama

We Recommend

DNichols

It is not enough, we must have Responsible Total Immigration Reform.

This is what has Crashed our Economy, Persecuted Millions, including Millions of Legal Citizen Children, and other Family Members of un-documented Immigrants.

January 2008 began the start of the E-verify Law, the Hitleresque I.C.E. Deportation/Incarceration Programs, the "Foreclosure Crisis", the "Great Recession", and our new "Ballooning National Deficit".

John Kyle is bowing out of the Mess he helped cause!

MaskedMagician1967

Is it intended to be a "factual" statement?

truthseekeraz topcommenter

Kyle will do to the immigration laws what he did to the criminal justice system laws that have been a failure, making the U.S. the #1 Jailer in the world -- "land of the free"?

WhoKnows

1 Like

It's simple! Kyl just wants to be remembered fondly..

Instead of how he REALLY is. An egotistical pretty boy without an ounce of ethics, that "served" AZ until he could make more money lobbying for defense contractors! Also google: "Green Slime with diseases".

truthseekeraz topcommenter

@WhoKnows well said. Arizona multi-millionaires off being public "servants". All for themselves, nothing but destruction for the people they are supposed to serve.

Avery Marx

get in line like all the other immigrants who are trying to become legal US citizens. no cuts.

Chuck Klee

No dreams allowed...

bobby5527

i agree with LD25 and why take DNA from applicants like Kyle wants. Criminals yes but not those willing to contribute to our country.

youproductsucks

That sounds reasonable, although a bit too lengthy a process.

LD25

1 Like

So how do you serve in the military without first taking an oath to 'protect and defend?' We ask them to risk their lives in the defense of an ungrateful nation and offer nothing in return.

catori.shadi

@LD25 - there already are non-citizens in the US military. I went to a friends naturalization a few years ago & met a couple of guys in dress uniform, looking great :)

ReggieVV

3 Like

I say we should deport those who don't contribute to American society. Start with Kyl, Arpaio, and Brewer, and the fans thereof.

JoeArpaioFan topcommenter

@ReggieVV Actually it is you who don't contribute to society. Instead of deporting you a better idea would be to feed you to a wood chipper.

ReggieVV

@JoeArpaioFan @ReggieVV A true genius, like your tea bagger buddies.

catori.shadi

@JoeArpaioFan @ReggieVV - that's Arpaio's view of justice. Unfortunately, no-one's told Arpaio that he isn't part of the justice system.

JoeArpaioFan topcommenter

The DREAM Act is that ... just a dream! It does not provide citizenship after any number of years and it should not! There will be no DREAM Act, but keep on dreaming if you like. It will be blocked at anycost.Americans must come first. There are no more vacancies here!