NEW YORK, Nov 27: A bill being co-sponsored by United States Senator Richard Lugar, R-Indiana, that will permit undocumented (illegal) immigrants who grew up in the US to become legal citizens may help hundreds of South Asian students, particularly Pakistanis.

According to a report in Kentucky-based newspaper the Courier-Journal on Sunday, the bill, which was introduced a week and a half ago, stipulates that youths who complete high school or equivalent would earn conditional legal status. They then would be given six years to earn a college degree, complete trade school training or join the military.

After that the immigrants’ status would become permanents clearing the way for them to seek US citizenship, said the Courier-Journal.

About 50,000 undocumented immigrants graduate from high schools annually, according to Senator Lugar. “However, without legal status, they cannot secure a job or afford to attend college,” he said in a statement.