For the first time in years, American politicians are seriously engaged in a constructive debate about immigration reform which will affect not only the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants already in the country, but also the millions more who have applied or will apply for visas authorizing entry into the United States. The discussion currently being had in Washington is long overdue, given the current immigration system’s crippling effect on the American economy and the country’s ability to compete in the globalized marketplace. Included in this discussion are changes to the employment-based immigration system, which serves as the gateway to permanent residence in the United States for countless immigrants. This article will examine several proposals to reform the employment-based immigration system and the benefits and difficulties associated with their implementation.

The discussion is being led by the Senate’s "Gang of Eight," comprised of four Democrats and four Republicans who have agreed to a basic yet broad set of principles which will serve as a framework for drafting legislation that will comprehensively reform this country’s immigration system. While the details are still not clear, it seems that this is the best chance in years that a compromise on comprehensive immigration reform may be reached.

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