WASHINGTON, March 13 (UPI) -- U.S. lawmakers say a comprehensive immigration reform plan that includes a guest worker program is almost ready to be introduced.
The plan, which is being prepared by Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., with Reps. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., is aimed at passing comparable bills in both houses of Congress, the Christian Science Monitor reported Tuesday.
The plan includes a guest-worker program and a program allowing some 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States to earn citizenship.
"We're actually very optimistic and confident that this is the year we're going to make history. The fundamentals have never been better," said Frank Sharry, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, an immigration advocacy group.
Lawmakers and aides said the plan's authors are working to ensure the plan is broad enough to gain the votes of at least 20 Senate Republicans and 40 to 80 Republicans in the House. The bill would not be able to pass without their support and that of the White House, the lawmakers and aides said.
