– Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida and a handful of other Republican senators worked feverishly Tuesday on a compromise that would offer about 60 percent of illegal immigrants a chance to stay and work toward citizenship.
The Cuban-born Martinez, the Senate’s only immigrant, characterized his proposal as “an intriguing thought” or a “fallback” as he and 54 other Republicans struggled to avoid a stalemate on the politically sensitive legislation. One of his staffers called it “an idea that’s being floated.”
But after Senate GOP meetings late Monday and throughout Tuesday, several senators gave it more heft….
…The Martinez-Hagel plan would divide those estimated 11 million people into two groups. Those who have been here five years or more – about 60 percent of the total according to the Pew Hispanic Center – could show proof of residence, pay a fine, undergo criminal background checks, get work visas and apply for citizenship after six years.
Undocumented workers here less than five years would have to return to a “point of entry” such as the border or an airport, and might qualify for shorter, temporary visas. Some GOP senators want those here less than five years to return to their home countries and get at the end of the line for any guest-worker program….