In June 2013, the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill that was the most sweeping overhaul of the U.S. system since the Simpson-Mazzoli Act of 1986.

The legislation called for a path to citizenship for the 11 million unauthorized immigrants living in the country, as well as enhanced border security, a guest-worker program and help for childhood arrivals -- the self-described DREAMers who entered the country illegally as children.

Here's a look at the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013:

1. An Overview of the Senate's 844-Page Proposal

In April 2013, the U.S. Senate’s bipartisan “Gang of Eight” released a comprehensive immigration reform plan aimed at stopping illegal immigration and dealing with the 11 million immigrants who entered the country illegally. The senators proposed bill, which spanned 844 pages, included a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million, principles of the DREAM Act to assist young immigrants who arrived illegally as children and provisions to enhance border security.More »

2. A Path to Citizenship for 11 Million Unauthorized Immigrants

Early on, the Senate bipartisan “Gang of Eight” that was negotiating comprehensive reform details considered a 10-year pathway to citizenship for the 11 million. But by the spring, the pathway had stretched to 13 years -- 10 years as a “resident provision immigrant” waiting for a green card, then three more years to U.S. citizenship -- not so much a path as a long journey. Opponents of the path say that people who entered the country illegally shouldn’t be allowed to move in front of people waiting line to enter the country legally. Supporters say there is no other practical way of bringing the 11 million out of the shadows.More »

3. Enhanced Enforcement Plan Calls for Border Security Trigger

The idea of a border trigger to ensure a dramatic reduction in illegal immigration was essential to the U.S. Senate's “Gang of Eight” plan for comprehensive reform. Simply put, a border trigger sets measurable thresholds and preconditions for improvements to U.S. border security. Conservative Republicans as well as many Democrats insisted that that the trigger be part of comprehensive immigration reform, fearing that if it wasn't, the U.S. border with Mexico would remain open for illegal crossing.More »

4. How Does the Provisional 'RPI' Status Work?

Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) status would allow immigrants living in the country illegally to remain here without fear of deportation or removal. Immigrants who are in deportation or removal proceedings and are eligible to receive RPI must be given the opportunity to get it, according to the Senate’s bill.More »

5. New 'W' Visas for Lower Skilled Workers

The W visa, in effect, creates a guest-worker program that would apply to lower-wage workers, including housekeepers, landscapers, retail workers, restaurant staff and some construction workers. With a W visa, an immigrant worker would be allowed to come into the country to temporarily fill jobs that American workers weren't filling. The program was mainly a concession to U.S. businesses who said they needed a reliable source of labor to fill seasonal and temporary jobs.More »

6. Relief for Childhood Arrivals, the DREAMers

Supporters of DREAM Act legislation that would give legal status to thousands of the children of illegal immigrants make their case on social, moral and economic grounds. Versions of the DREAM Act have been debated in Washington and state capitals for much of the last decade. All of them have at their core a belief that the country can’t continue to ignore some 1.7 million young immigrants who came here as children and have no legal national identity. Why is helping the DREAMers a good idea?More »

7. Who Is the 'Gang of Eight'?

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, four Democrats and four Republicans, worked together to broker a deal and create legislation for comprehensive immigration reform. They were called the “Gang of Eight.” Much of their work was done quietly to avoid the media attention and the interference of lobbyists that had undermined previous compromise attempts. Read about their historic work.More »

8. A History of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Efforts

The reform bill that passed the U.S. Senate in 2013 was in the works for over a decade in one form or another. Congress has wrestled with the politically charged issue since the turn of the last century.More »