Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) have introduced legislation that could become part of the extensive immigration reform bill promised by President Barack Obama. The gist of the legislation, which has been named the Dream Act (not to be confused with the bill of the same name that failed in 2007-2008), calls for adolescent undocumented immigrants who entered the country at a young age with their parents to be granted legal status.

"Over 65,000 teenagers without green cards are serving in the American army and studying in American schools," said Sen. Durbin. "They know English and consider themselves Americans. Our job is to clear them a path to the American dream."

 To be sure, all applicants for legalization are law-abiding members of society. They do not include people with criminal records or gang members (something that my critics fear).

 "Imagine a 19-year-old who came to America from Mexico at the age of two," said Sen. Lugar. "This child does not know anything about his native country. He has never been there. But under our immigration system, he could end up in jail and be deported to his historical homeland."

 The people behind this legislation have stressed that every applicant for legalization will undergo a thorough background check – from a complete medical exam to submitting fingerprints to the FBI.  Additionally, detailed references from the applicant's place of study will be required.

 Meanwhile, President Barack Obama continues to meet with leaders from Spanish-speaking organizations advocating comprehensive immigration reform. In a discussion with representatives from the National Immigration Forum (NIF) and the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), he promised to introduce the reform bill that he developed with Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the politicians who are most involved with immigration issues. "We will make a public announcement in mid-April or early May," promised President Obama. "I completely support immigration reform and would like to remind you that it is the main item of my political activity."

 But some advocates of reform have started to express their dissatisfaction with Obama's passivity. "We have reason to believe that the President intends to draw out reform until mid-2011," said Clarissa Lederon, a member of FAIR. "Empty discussions about the benefits of immigration reform have been going on for two months, but no one is taking concrete steps. We hope to see a bill by late spring."

 It is interesting that legalizing 12 million people will force the government to reduce or completely abolish foreign worker visas (H-1B and H-2B). Clearly, Latin American organizations fully support this initiative: What is the point of drawing "strawberry-picking specialists" from abroad when there are already millions of Mexicans in the country who would be happy to take their places?

 Microsoft CEO Bill Gates has again acknowledged his commitment to immigration reform. Microsoft has repeatedly complained about the dearth of computer specialists, and the eligible candidates who can be found among undocumented immigrants. But hiring them could lead to large fines. Likewise, it is not profitable to draw legal professionals from abroad because of the limited quota on foreign workers. There is no guarantee that the worker who is needed so badly will enter the United States.

 "We want to work and earn money, advancing innovative technologies and designs," said Mr. Gates. "But our immigration system works against all the rules for conducting American business."

 Also this week, representatives from legal organizations addressed an open letter to Mr. Obama. After all, lawyers make up one of the main categories of specialists committed to reform.  The procedure of legalizing 12 million people will provide them with work for long years to come.

 Banking structures and the real estate industry are also very committed to reform. Representatives from these industries are lobbying for immigration reform in every way possible. "Just imagine what an enormous amount of money undocumented immigrants spend on rent," said Jeff Markinson, a developer from California. "Under American law, undocumented immigrants do not have the right to buy or rent living space. As a result, enormous amounts of money illegally flow into the pockets of legal immigrants, who do not pay taxes on it."

 For the time being, undocumented immigrants must wait for President Obama's speech, which will shed light on the timeframe and particulars of immigration reform.