As the politics of ‘08 heat up the policy of ‘07 is starting to get in gear. So far the year has been marred with scandal and bad press for the administration leaving it with little in the way of policy under its belt. But it is reported today that a new deal on immigration might make its way into the Congress.

The provisions from the latest draft are being reported by CNN as follows:

1) Under the plan, undocumented workers could apply for three-year work visas, which the plan dubs “Z” visas. They would be renewable indefinitely but renewal would cost $3,500 each time.

2) The undocumented workers would have legal status with the visas, but to get a green card, making them legal permanent residents, they would have to return to their home country, apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate to re-enter legally and pay a $10,000 fine.

3) The plan also tries to make border security a priority by requiring 18,300 Border Patrol agents and 370 miles of physical fencing be in place, as well as electronic monitoring of the southern border ongoing before a temporary worker program could start.

This plan is MUCH more conservative then the one authored by Sen. John McCain & Sen. Edward Kennedy last year which was supported by the administration. It was recently reported that John McCain was surprised by the level of opposite this plan had in Iowa and the Senator was said to be reviewing his position. This bill also addresses the concerns of many conservative voters who expressed dismay over the issue and the Republican stance in the ‘06 elections believing the bill was equal to “amnesty”.

Immigration will undoubtedly remain a major issue for both sides and especially in some key swing states that have felt the economic burden of illegal immigration.