WASHINGTON — A grand compromise could be seen as a grand gesture on the part of Democrats and Republicans, but two New York lawmakers believe they may have a solution to the United States immigration debate.

"Now maybe it's because we're from New York and we're used to negotiating, and when you see so much on the table that's common ground there's really no excuse for not doing this," said Rep. Peter King (R-NY), talking about an op-ed he and fellow Long Islander, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), penned for newspapers across the country.

King and Suozzi proposed a solution Tuesday that gives and takes from both sides of the aisle, but also addresses key concerns.

For Democrats, the plan enables a pathway to citizenship for nearly 1.9 million so-called "Dreamers," as well as around 400,000 people in the U.S. under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. There would also be protections offered to undocumented relatives of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and TPS recipients — an estimated 2.7 million — that could be extended indefinitely.

The pathway and protections come with a price tag around $2,000 per person.

For President Donald Trump and Republicans, Suozzi and King say the fees would amount to roughly $10 billion, which could then be used to build more border barriers and beef up security along the southern U.S. border with Mexico. The money would also go toward humanitarian aid, technology and personnel investments, and streamlining the U.S. immigration system.

"This can all be done if people would just work together, Democrats and Republicans, to treat people like human beings, and to try to create secure borders," said Suozzi.

The pair is currently working to gather support among their various party members on Capitol Hill. Suozzi says formal legislation is expected in the next three to four weeks.

"We don't agree on that many things," said Suozzi. "But we came together on this and said, 'Listen, we're sick and tired of the extremes controlling this conversation. Let's try and figure out a common sense solution,' and I think that's what we’re doing here."