Immigration reformers this week had cause to celebrate when House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., announced his plan to introduce a bill that would legalize millions of undocumented immigrants.

Gephardt unveiled his plan Monday at the annual meeting of the National Council of La Raza, prompting the crowd of about 3,000 Latinos to jump to its feet in applause.

The measure, which Gephardt said he would introduce within two weeks, would grant legal status to immigrants who have lived in the United States for five years and worked in the country for two years.

While the bill would most greatly benefit Latinos, who make up an estimated 70 percent of the country's illegal immigrants, it could impact more than a million Asian immigrants. In total, there are about 8.7 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

"There are probably millions of immigrants in this country who have done everything we've asked them to do," Gephardt said at the meeting. "They've worked, they've stayed out of trouble, they've obeyed the laws, they've helped their families, and they would like an opportunity."

In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, immigration restrictions increased and border security was tightened. Gephardt's announcement could signal a shift toward more immigrant-friendly legislation.

'This is actually a really great thing,' said Claudia Gomez of the National Network for Immigration and Refugee Rights. 'The House and Senate democrats were working on legislation before Sept. 11, but everything was put off – even though the need for immigration legislation greatly increased after Sept. 11, when so many were targeted.'

Gephardt said instead of being victims of hate, immigrants should be active members in the war against terrorism. "Our proposal will bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and into the light of accountability and greater cooperation in our fight," he said.