The lawmakers, including Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus and Liberal Progressive Caucus filed an immigration reform bill on Tuesday, December 15, 2009, which would offer legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants in the US, at the cost of $500 fine. The newly proposed bill encourages illegal immigrants to come forward and register with the government. Along, the bill would allow certain immigrants in deportation proceedings to apply for legalization.

In addition to $500 fine, applicants must have clean criminal records. If the applicants pass the background checks and meet other requirements, they will be eligible for a six-year visa that eventually could be replaced by a green card, which would further help applicants to obtain US residency and citizenship.

Before getting it approved, the immigration reform bill proposed by Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., will require the Senate to vote first!