House GOP unveils bill for young immigrants, $25 billion for border

House Republicans unveiled a “discussion draft” of a sweeping immigration bill that includes a path to citizenship for young immigrants, $25 billion in border security — including advance funds for President Donald Trump’s wall with Mexico—and cuts to family-based visas in favor of those for immigrants with skills.

It also responds to widespread concern over the sharp rise of families being separated at the border by proposing to keep children in detention with their parents, undoing rules that limit the time minors can be held in custody.

Presented to lawmakers Thursday, the measure sticks to Trump’s immigration priorities while trying to join the party’s warring conservative and moderate factions on an issue that has divided the GOP for years. Passage is far from certain.

Speaker Paul Ryan wants to hold a vote as soon as next week to put the issue to rest before the midterm election. He called it a “very good compromise.”

“Our members felt very, very passionate about having votes on policies they care about, and that is what we are doing,” he said earlier Thursday. “So we’re bringing legislation that’s been carefully crafted and negotiated to the floor. We won’t guarantee passage.”

The 293-page bill represents the kind of ambitious overhaul of the immigration system Republicans have long considered but have been unable to turn into law. It shifts away from the U.S.’ longtime preference for family immigration to a new system that prioritizes entry based on merits and skills. It beefs up border security, clamps down on illegal entries and reinforces other immigration laws.

BILL HIGHLIGHTS PROTECTING IMMIGRANTS FROM DEPORTATION

■ Young immigrants brought to U.S. illegally as children could apply for renewable permission to stay legally for six years.

■ Program would cover 1.8 million people protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, or those who are eligible for it. DACA covers many younger people who arrived in U.S. before June 15, 2007.

■ Also covers many children brought to U.S. by legal immigrant workers.

■ After five years, these immigrants could begin applying for green cards, or permanent legal residence, which will be awarded based on points. Credit given for education, jobs, military service, knowledge of English language.

OTHER VISA CHANGES

■ Eliminates lottery that awards 55,000 visas annually to people from countries with low immigration rates to U.S.

■ Bars citizens from sponsoring adult siblings or married children for legal immigration.

BORDER SECURITY AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT

■ Provides $25 billion for President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall with Mexico, security technology, roads.

■ Permits National Guard to build border barriers, conduct ground and aerial surveillance.

■ Allows victims of murder, rape or sexual abuse of minor committed by immigrant to sue “sanctuary city” communities that don’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

■ Makes it easier to deport immigrant gang members

FAMILY SEPARATION AND IMMIGRANTS TRYING TO ENTER U.S.

■ When immigrant families are detained while entering border, children must be kept with parents while in custody of Homeland Security Department.

■ Stricter standard for immigrants seeking asylum, which is entry based on fear of persecution. Their claims must be considered likely to be true, not simply credible.