I e-mailed the White House yesterday with some questions for my column. Here’s the e-mailed response that I pass along in the interest of getting as much information about the bill in here as possible:

Hi Rich – …Regarding your first question, green cards applicants who are heads of household must file application at a consular office abroad. While the application is being processed, the applicant may return to the United States. On the LA Times piece, not sure if you have a specific question, but here are some things worth clarifying: – After six months to set up the program, the eligible undocumented population has 12-24 months to come out of shadows to apply for probationary status. If the triggers are met and they pass background checks and meet other criteria (and therefore haven’t been tossed out), they become eligible for Z visas. – The Z visa can be renewed as much as one would like, but processing fees would be due at each renewal and they would be subject to more background checks, work history requirements (for heads of households), etc. – English requirements are a condition of renewing the Z visa. At the first renewal, applicants need to have shown steps toward meeting this requirement. Passing the English proficiency test is required upon the second renewal — year 8, not year 4. – Z visa fees (as opposed to the fines) for application and renewal are not set by the bill, but will be set by regulation. (The bill only says they can be up to $1,500 for the Z visa). The fines, but not the fees, could be paid in installments. – Not every applicant must pay $1,000 — it is $1,000 for a head of household and $500 for each dependent. The head of household must also pay a $4,000 fine for a green card