WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) will conduct a conference call TODAY, Wednesday, May 23 at 12:45 p.m. CDT to discuss the Senate immigration bill.

To participate in the toll-free call for media at 12:45 p.m. CDT, please call 1-888-677-1824  and enter the passcode: 10992.

Earlier this week, Emerson called the compromise language, “poorly constructed and deeply flawed.”

Included in the 380-page bill are provisions which would:

• Provide immediate legal, probationary status to current illegal immigrants who come forward immediately.
• Create a renewable, four-year “Z Visa” for those present in the U.S. unlawfully before Jan. 1, 2007.
• Adjust the status of undocumented immigrants to lawful, permanent resident status once they pay $5,000 in fees and fines and their head of household returns to the home country.
• Grant green cards to illegal aliens under the age of 30 who were brought to the U.S. as minors after three years, others after eight years.
• Create a new “temporary worker program” to provide new two-year, renewable “Y Visas,” initially 400,000 per year of which would be available, subject to increase.