It sounds like the "deal" is that the most blatant amnesty is reserved for those who have been in the country for 5 or more years.
It sounds like those who have been here for 2 to 5 years would have to return home, but would then reenter as guest workers.
It could just be how it was reported, but it seems like they are being pretty much guaranteed a guest worker visa if they pass a background check, which isn't going to be very relaible considering these people have been living outside the law for at least two years.
Are they going to be required to be matched with jobs before being granted a guest worker visa? Are "guest workers" going to be allowed to bring their families? Are there going to be strict requirements on the guest worker program to make sure that these people are going to be able to be self sufficient?
Are those who have been here illegally going to get perference for guest worker visas over those who haven't broken the law?
This doesn't seem like a comprimase between amnesty and a work visa program. This looks like amnesty with a few cosmetic concessions.
This is actually worse than mere amnesty. Amnesty just forgives past offenses. This rewards people who have broken the law. This actively underminse our legal system.
This plan MUST die and the Senate needs a very serious wakeup call.
If our country needs workers we can fulfill that need through a work visa program that doesn't reward criminal behavior.
We have failed to enforce our immigration laws and I can accept that it is reasonable to forgive those who broke the law by comming here illegally and not hold that against them.
However, we absolutely cannot reward them for doing so.
Their "amnesty" should be conditional on their leaving the country. They should then be given equal consideration for visa programs, not preferential treatment.
We need to make illegal entry a felony and we need to make being in the country illegally a felony.
If they leave over the next year, grant tme amnesty from that felony. If they don't hold them accountable.
Secure the border. Enforce the laws. Don't reward criminals.