The controversy and conflict surrounding possible immigration reform has continued unabated for several months. No one knows exactly what to do with undocumented immigrants, whose number by some estimates exceeds 20 million. For the time being, Democrats and Republicans have proposed their own versions of the bill, both of which are far from perfect and extend only to certain categories of undocumented immigrants.

For their part, immigrants are using all possible means to attract the government’s attention by organizing rallies several thousand strong and by arranging events like “A Day without Immigrants” to emphasize their value and indispensability.

Since this theme is of current interest, we decided to give the floor to our readers and suggested that they state their opinions on the possibility of an amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Respondents were given the chance to present their own drafts of immigration reform.

Eldar, 61

(nine years in the U.S., citizen)

The problem of undocumented immigrants should be handled first and foremost by law enforcement agencies. Intelligence agencies must complete a painstaking background check of all undocumented individuals in this country. The person's level of education, state of health, records of arrests and previous convictions must be determined. Naturally, all criminals must be deported right away. The rest should be given a chance, say a three-year trial period during which they must prove that they are worthy of becoming U.S. citizens. If during this period they master English, acquire a specialty that there is a need for, work diligently and pay taxes, then they should be welcomed to the ranks of Americans! If not, then deportation is the only answer.

Tatyana, 34

(five years in the U.S., green card holder)

I only have a draft for anti-immigration reform. I have always held and continue to hold that the unsound practice of issuing documents to criminals who have crossed the border illegally and could care less about United States laws should be terminated. I cannot imagine that a person who has not paid taxes over the course of many years would swear an oath and pledge allegiance to America. It's ludicrous. Budgetary funds should be spent not on legalizing illegals, but on catching and deporting them.

Anna, 48

(17 years in America, citizen)

The worst thing for Americans is not undocumented immigrants themselves, but their relatives. If 12 million people are granted the opportunity to live and work in the United States, then as soon as they become citizens, they will start bringing their relatives - husbands, wives, children, fathers and mothers - into the country. So the government is not legalizing the status of 12 million people, but of at least four times as many. I have no objection to immigration reform, but an amendment prohibiting the entry of relatives of those granted amnesty should be adopted.

Dmitry, 25

(two years in the U.S., student)

Many undocumented immigrants are well-educated and hard-working. Honestly, I have much more respect for an undocumented Mexican working days on end at a vegetable store than I do for a citizen receiving tons of government benefits who has lived here for 15 years, but has not spent a minute of that time working. The first loves the U.S. because of the possibilities it offers for working and earning money. The second loves the U.S. because the system can be milked for all it's worth and ruthlessly exploited. In addition to immigration reform that would grant everyone without exception the right to work, reforms should be carried out concerning people receiving government benefits so as to prevent medical insurance fraud, illegal renting of subsidized apartments, and incidents of slave-like exploitation of home attendants.

Mahmoud, 54

(11 years in the U.S., green card holder)

If it were possible to conduct an experiment that would reflect the feelings of undocumented immigrants for the U.S., the results would exceed all expectations. At a minimum, 90 percent of undocumented immigrants live with the sole dream of someday becoming an American. They truly love this country and are therefore ready to spend decades working low-paying jobs. When I was undocumented, I spent eight years working in construction. That tested my love for this country. It was not easy to endure this, but I made it through. My draft of immigration reform would state that specialists who are undocumented by chance alone be granted legal status before all others. Believe me, a huge percentage of undocumented immigrants are professional engineers, doctors, mechanics, machinists, sports players, etc. In becoming legal, they would do an excellent job of serving the government.

Sergey, 37

(six years in the U.S., undocumented)

I'm naturally very anxious to see how immigration reform will turn out. This will be the happiest event in millions of people's lives. They will get a chance to start a new life. Fines, background checks, years of waiting for a green card - all of this can be survived. The most important thing now is for reform to happen.

Larissa, 45

(four years in the U.S. green card holder)

For a start, all undocumented immigrants must be forced to pay taxes for the entire time they have been in the U.S., let's say about $3,000 for each year. Only after doing this would their cases be accepted for review. Preference should be given to those who speak English well and have never had any trouble with the law. It is important that every undocumented immigrant hoping to be granted amnesty has entered the country legally and has not snuck across the border or used fake documents. When the most reliable (about 50%) have been selected from the 12 million, then a lottery should be held whereby one to two million people can count on being granted legal status. The rest should be declared outside the law.

Fedor, 51

(20 years in the U.S., citizen)

There should not be any amnesty at all. Undocumented immigrants should return to their countries and apply for work visas there. One might ask why the United States needs tens of millions – and, according to my calculations, that's how many of them there are – dishwashers, porters and unskilled workers. This reform won't change anything. Undocumented immigrants only need documents so they can enter and leave the country unhindered, send their families here and then collect benefits from the government. I think it's still too soon to consider this reform. We should return to this problem in 10 years time.

Aleks, 29

(six years in the U.S., undocumented)

You know, I've recently been thinking more and more about returning home and not waiting for this damn immigration reform. Every day people who despise illegal immigrants with all their hearts treat me with contempt and abhorrence. And many of these same people have themselves had problems with their documents.

I have less and less desire to live in this country where people are treated according to their immigration status. If you are a citizen, you are respected and esteemed. But if you're undocumented, the best you can hope for is indifference and tolerance on the part of those around you.