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GWEN IFILL:The political push for overhauling the nation's immigration system gains new momentum.
REP. XAVIER BECERRA, D-Calif.: I suspect we're all here to send a very clear message: We are ready.
GWEN IFILL:California Democrat Xavier Becerra led other supporters of comprehensive immigration reform in a Capitol Hill rally today.
Inside the Capitol, a bipartisan group of eight senators put the finishing touches on legislation to overhaul the system expected to be unveiled tomorrow.
Florida Republican Marco Rubio, one of the members of the so-called gang of eight, described the plan Sunday on seven talk shows.
SEN. MARCO RUBIO, R-Fla.: I think it's important to understand it doesn't give anything. It allows people access to the legal immigration system.
Number two, some people won't qualify. They haven't been here long enough. They have committed very serious crimes. They won't be able to stay. Number three is, all people will get is the opportunity to apply for thing, to apply for a legal status, which isn't awarded on day one. I mean, there's a process for that.
GWEN IFILL:Although it has not been formerly introduced, it's been widely reported that the legislation would provide a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented people now in the country and establish a 10-year process for obtaining a green card. Gaining full citizenship would take another three years.
Applicants would have to pay a fine and back taxes, learn English, and pass a criminal background check, among other hurdles. Rubio says that system would be triggered only if certain border security benchmarks are met.
MARCO RUBIO:That means securing the border, universal E-Verify and the universal entry-exit tracking system. If those three things are not in place, that green card process won't begin even if the 10 years has elapsed.
GWEN IFILL:But even with those assurances, some Republicans were skeptical, including Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions.
SEN. JEFF SESSIONS, R-Ala.: No, I'm not convinced. I know Sen. Rubio's heart is exactly right. And I really respect the work of the gang of eight. But they have produced legislation, it appears, that will give amnesty now, legalize everyone that is here effectively today, and then there's a promise of enforcement in the future.
GWEN IFILL:White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said today the administration believes it's possible to satisfy concerns on both sides.
JAY CARNEY, White House Press Secretary: These are compatible ideas, enhancing border security, allowing for a clear path to citizenship that requires a number of very specific steps. So, the president is very pleased with the progress we have seen thus far.
GWEN IFILL:Once the bill is formerly rolled out tomorrow, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold its first hearing later this week.
To help us sort through the next steps, we're joined by Brian Bennett. He covers immigration for the Los Angeles Times.
Brian, what was it that the bipartisan group has now agreed to and what are the issues that are still outstanding?
BRIAN BENNETT, Los Angeles Times: So, the bipartisan group plans to unveil their bill tomorrow, on Tuesday probably, maybe as soon as tomorrow.
And they have agreed on almost all the major points. They're still fine-tuning the bill today will unveil what they have decided on tomorrow. And so the main points are that there will be a legalization program for the 11 million people who are here without papers or who have overstayed their visas. And this program would start about six months after the bill is passed, after the Department of Homeland Security has outlined a way to secure the border.
And people will be able to apply, pay a fine, go through a criminal background check and apply to get legal status. And over the next 10 years, the U.S. would spend a lot of money on enhanced border security. And there would be a requirement that a certain certification was made on border security.
And, after that point, if those requirements were met on border security and a few other factors, then those people who were legalized would be eligible to apply for green cards and eventually become citizens.
GWEN IFILL:I want to circle back to some of the points you made. But let's start by talking about visas, this whole question of work visas.
Is that only for high-tech workers, or also for agricultural workers? That's been a sticking point along the way.
