Skip to content
LPBN-Icon-v1
ImmigrationProf Blog
A Member of the Law Professor Blogs Network

Feinstein’s Orange Card for Undocumented Aliens

By immigrationprof

Here is Senator Dianne Feinstein’s onepager on the proposal she made on Thursday for an orange card.  It wouldlegalize undocumented immigrants who were in the U.S. prior to 1/1/2006, and may be offered as an amendment to the Hagel-Martinez Senate compromise on legalization.

Senator Dianne Feinstein

Orange card proposal to streamline thelegalization of illegal aliens present in the United States.

Such proposal would operate as follows:

  • It would legalize the     status of illegal aliens who have been present and working in the United     States since January 1, 2006.

  • Individuals who come     forward for an orange card will be allowed to remain in the United States     legally, work, and travel in and out of the country.

  • Cards will be issued to     eligible individuals which will include an encrypted, machine-readable,     electronic identification strip, biometrics (fingerprint and photograph),     and which are tamper resistant and counterfeit proof.

  • Orange cards will     contain a number and those individuals will be in line to apply for a     green card in numerical order, after the existing green card backlog is     cleared and processed.

  • Spouses and children     will have to qualify on their own for legalization, although once granted     a green card, immediate family members could be petitioned for through     regular channels.

  • In order to receive an     orange card, eligibility will be established through documents requested     by the Department of Homeland Security – such as, but not limited to, employment     records, utility bills, lease agreements, school records, and tax     records.

  • In order to receive an     orange card, individuals will have to demonstrate that they are working,     that they speak English, have an understanding of American civics, have     not committed a crime or have a criminal conviction, have paid their taxes,     and they must pay a $2,000 fine. A     background and security clearance will be required.

In order to qualify for agreen card, individuals must demonstrate that they are working, that they speak(or are learning to speak) English, have an understanding of American civics,have no criminal convictions, and have paid their taxes.
bh