What does it mean to become an American? Should a pathway to citizenship be provided to the 12 million illegal immigrants currently living in the country? Immigration reform has been referred to as "the civil rights struggle of the 21st century."

President Obama has begun discussions to rewrite U.S. immigration laws. Last week he met with a bipartisan, politically diverse group of lawmakers to initiate the immigration reform process.  This was the "first substantial discussion on immigration since he took office."  Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will lead the Congressional review group.

"The last time Congress considered sweeping immigration legislation, in 2007, Democrats and some Republicans pushed a three-part agreement that would have essentially provided legal status to the millions of people living here illegally, strengthened enforcement of immigration laws and expanded guest worker programs." (NY Times)

Now, the high-tech industry is currently facing a shortage of high-skilled workers and the violence along the border with Mexico has heightened security concerns.  "Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), chairman of a Senate committee on immigration, said that "both parties, left and right, are going to have to give in some to get immigration reform." If it is not passed by next year, he added, "we might not be able to do it for a generation." (LA Times)

Republican support, led by Senator John McCain, is based on an expansion of guest worker programs.  The recession has caused Americans to be nervous about the job market; the AFL-CLO and some Democrats has opposed a more robust guest-worker program, fearing they would depress wages. 

Further issues beyond the expansion of guest worker programs that require discussion include a worker verification system, compensation for state and local governments for incarcerating illegal immigrants, a legalization plan and the case loads of the nation's immigration courts.

Since April, enforcement has aimed at employers who hire illegal immigrants instead of employees.  Businesses are forbidden by law to hire illegal immigrants but often do so unwittingly.  For example, American Apparel, a clothing company founded and run by a Canadian emigrant to the U.S., has recently come under scrutiny for employing a large number of illegal foreign-born workers.

Related:

• In the Classroom: Immigration: Mapping the New North American Reality
• Read: Arizona rechaza proyecto que criminaliza a los migrantes
• Read: Restoring Integrity to the Immigration System
• Study: 21st Century U.S. Immigration Includes Alabama
• Watch: CNN: Pressure on Immigration Reform

(Image credit: Flickr user celikins)