Immigration Reform News: What To Expect In The 2013 Bill

The eight senators who worked on a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill are expected to unveil their plan later today.

A summary obtained by the International Business Times shows that lawmakers will be tough on border security, requiring strengthened surveillance along the U.S.'s southern border. There is also a promised path to citizenship that will include penalty fees.

Here’s a brief look at what you can expect in the 2013 immigration reform bill:

-- $4.5 billion appropriation toward border security, which includes fencing, drones and an additional 3,500 border patrol agents;

-- Out of status immigrants living in the U.S. before Dec. 31, 2011, can apply for legal status and pay a $500 penalty fee and back taxes. The fee will not apply to Dreamers, or people covered by the Dream Act. Those convicted of certain crimes are ineligible;

-- Immigrants outside the U.S. who were in the U.S. before the Dec. 31, 2011, deadline can apply for re-entry, but only if they weren’t deported for a crime;

-- Immigrants can apply for lawful permanent resident status (i.e. green card) after 10 years;

-- Those under the Dream Act will get green cards in five years;

-- All employers will have to use E-verify over a five-year phase-in period. The phase-in period is much shorter for employers with more than 5,000 employees: two years;

-- The 65,000 yearly H-1B visa cap will increase to 110,000.