This is just the beginning of a fractious debate in Congress over a comprehensive immigration legislation which seeks to redefine a nation under the grip of a sweeping social change.

Although the proposed legislation would largely benefit Hispanics, an undetermined number of Filipinos who are in the U.S. illegally will also reap the benefits of authorized employment, permanent residency and eventual citizenship envisioned in the measure.

Of special interest to Filipinos is another provision in the bill increasing the number of visas for nurses and agricultural nurses. This will clear the way for Filipino nurses waiting in a growing line for U.S. visas.

The road to citizenship, however, continues to be the sizzling-hot issue in the looming congressional debate. While the Senate wants to open the doors to illegal aliens, seeing them as a powerful work force and potential voters, the House looks at them as invaders and lawbreakers, as well as a threat to the nation’s security, jobs and culture.

There are merits to both sides in this contentious issue. But viewed in humanitarian and libertarian grounds, the case should be made for upholding America’s time-honored tradition as a nation of immigrants.

It’s time to integrate the new immigrants, albeit here illegally, rather than send them home, which goes against the grain of America’s passion for the downtrodden and the “huddled masses yearning to be here.”

As pro-immigrant Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina movingly put it, “Their home is where they’ve raised their children. Home is where they’ve lived their married lives.”

Today, there are more than 33 million foreign-born residents who have made America their home, the greatest number than at anytime in the past century, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

Embracing the newcomers is the American way.