Newsviews: US Immigration Policy

February 3, 2013 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- President Barack Obama says he's looking for an immigration reform plan to be completed in six months. That comes after a group of Democratic and Republican senators announced last week that they had developed a framework for reform.

The next day, President Obama laid out his own ideas.

"We have to deal with the 11 million individuals who are here illegally," said Obama. "We all agree that these men and women should have to earn their way to citizenship, but for comprehensive immigration reform to work, it must be clear from the outset that there is a pathway to citizenship."

The Senate plan would require undocumented immigrants to register with the government for temporary status. They would have to pay fines and back taxes, demonstrate they can speak English and pass a civics test.

While many welcomed the plan, some say a path already exists, and that involves immigrating to the United States legally.

Joining us to discuss immigration reform and this week's developments are Maria Pesqueria, with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and Carl Segvich, with the Illinois Minuteman Project.

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