· Those who have been in the US for more than five years could work for six years and apply for legal permanent residency - ie a green card - without having to leave the country. They would also have to pay $2,000 (£1,140) in fines and back taxes, clear background checks - including into criminal records - and learn English.
· Those who have been in the US for two to five years would have to go to border entry points sometime in the next three years, however they could immediately return as temporary workers. This category probably accounts for around three million people.
· Those who have been in the US less than two years would have to leave and wait in line for visas like everyone else to return. This group is probably around a million people.
It was estimated that it could take some illegal immigrants up to 14 years to become citizens, partially because there is an annual limit of 450,000 on green cards, which are a precursor to full citizenship.
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