Questions and answers on immigration bill

WASHINGTON — The Senate will plunge this week into its first confrontation over immigration when it debates a comprehensive bill crafted by a bipartisan group of senators and endorsed by President Bush.

Here's a guide for the upcoming debate:

Question: Millions of illegal immigrants would be quickly legalized under this bill. Isn't that amnesty?

Answer: Depends on the perspective. The Bush administration and the bill's supporters say no, because illegal immigrants would pay fines and fees and would have to meet other conditions if they eventually want to get on a path to citizenship.

An array of critics, including many Republican lawmakers, assert otherwise. They say the financial penalties are designed primarily to give proponents political cover to deflect the amnesty tag. They say any process that lets illegal immigrants become legal is amnesty.

Question: How would legalization work?

Answer: Within six months after the law's enactment, illegal immigrants would be placed on probationary status and could work legally while the Department of Homeland Security completes background checks.

After the government certifies that certain border-security measures — so-called triggers — are in place, the illegal immigrants could pay a $1,000 fine and receive a Z visa that would be renewable every four years. They would be permitted to stay in the country indefinitely if they obey the law and stay employed.

Question: Could they become citizens?

Answer: First they'd have to get a "green card," which would make them legal permanent residents of the United States. Z card holders could ultimately apply for a green card — but not until the government clears out a current backlog of more than 5 million other green card applicants, which will take eight years.

Then they would return to their home country to file their application, demonstrate proficiency in English and pay an additional $4,000 fine. Those who measured higher in a merit-based system giving weight to education and professional skills would have the edge.

The DHS estimates that a Z card holder's total wait time for a green card would be anywhere from nine to 13 years. They could also get approval to go to Mexico or Canada to apply if conditions prohibit them from returning to their home country.

Question: There are an estimated 12 million immigrants now in the United States. Will they all be eligible for Z visas?