Is the “Z Visa” the solution for undocumented workers?

The White House began circulating on March 29, 2007 what seems to be their proposal for undocumented workers currently living in the United States. According to published accounts, the President would ask all illegal immigrants to apply for a “Z Visa” and to pay a heavy fine to obtain legal status. To begin the process, a person is required to pay a fine of $3,500 to obtain a 3 year visa and would have to pay $2,000 to apply for a “Green Card” and $8,000 if the Legal Permanent Resident Card is finally approved. Also, the family head would have to leave the United States and come back under the “Z” provisions.

To maintain legal status, applicants would have to have a clean criminal record, work, pay taxes, know English and have a basic understanding of civics and how government works. “Z Visa” holders would not be able to sponsor family members to come and join them in the United States. We will see how Congress would take this initiative from the President, but at least there is an initiative after almost a year of talk and no action.