A new Bill introduced by Representative Luis Gutierrez of Illinois into the US House of Representatives would open a path to legal status for millions of illegal immigrants.

Under the bill, to gain legal status and possibly citizenship, illegal immigrants already here would have to demonstrate they had been working, pay a $500 fine, learn English and undergo a criminal background check, among other provisions. Unlike previous proposals in Congress, they would not have to return to their home country.

An estimated 12 million illegal immigrants have entered the country over the past decade, mostly from Latin America via Mexico.

The economic condition as the country emerges from recession, may pose as a major obstacle for Obama's promised comprehensive immigration reform.