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Senate begins immigration debate Senate begins immigration debate
(about 2 hours later)
The US Senate has begun debating a key immigration bill that could give legal status to many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants.The US Senate has begun debating a key immigration bill that could give legal status to many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants.
Last week, President George W Bush and a bipartisan group of senators crafted a compromise version of the bill that would also strengthen border controls.Last week, President George W Bush and a bipartisan group of senators crafted a compromise version of the bill that would also strengthen border controls.
The deal followed months of bitter debate and the bill's critics are continuing to voice opposition.The deal followed months of bitter debate and the bill's critics are continuing to voice opposition.
The proposal needs to be passed by both houses of Congress to become law.The proposal needs to be passed by both houses of Congress to become law.
President Bush, who has made immigration reform one of his priorities, has said he wants to see new legislation in place by the end of this year.President Bush, who has made immigration reform one of his priorities, has said he wants to see new legislation in place by the end of this year.
It is a strong compromise and the best chance we will have to finally fix this broken system Sen Edward Kennedy
The bill's backers in the Senate are hoping it wins swift approval and avoids being caught up in the upcoming election cycle as politicians turn their attention to the 2008 presidential vote.The bill's backers in the Senate are hoping it wins swift approval and avoids being caught up in the upcoming election cycle as politicians turn their attention to the 2008 presidential vote.
The House of Representatives is expected to consider its own legislation in July and Mr Bush is likely to face quite a fight there, says the BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington. But Republican senator Jeff Sessions, who opposes the bill, said it was "unthinkable" that the Senate would finish debating by the end of the week.
Only when and if the two versions are reconciled would Mr Bush be able to sign the bill into law. "I'm prepared to use whatever tactics are appropriate to resist that," he said.
The House of Representatives is expected to try to frame its own legislation in July.
The BBC's James Coomarasamy, in Washington, says Mr Bush is likely to face quite a fight there.
The president will be able to sign the bill into law, only if the two proposals are reconciled.
'Amnesty''Amnesty'
The Democratic Party's negotiator on the issue, Sen Edward Kennedy, has said the bill would create "a tough but fair path to citizenship" for millions of immigrants.The Democratic Party's negotiator on the issue, Sen Edward Kennedy, has said the bill would create "a tough but fair path to citizenship" for millions of immigrants.
"The bill isn't exactly the way I would have written it, but it is a strong compromise and the best chance we will have to finally fix this broken system," he said."The bill isn't exactly the way I would have written it, but it is a strong compromise and the best chance we will have to finally fix this broken system," he said.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the agreement "can serve as a starting point" for debate but said he had serious concerns about some aspects.Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the agreement "can serve as a starting point" for debate but said he had serious concerns about some aspects.
Analysts say the compromise thrashed out last week has made the bill extremely complex and so open to attacks from all sides.Analysts say the compromise thrashed out last week has made the bill extremely complex and so open to attacks from all sides.
Under the proposed new Senate bill, illegal immigrants could seek a renewable "Z visa" after paying a $5,000 (£2,530) fine. They could ultimately be placed on the path to permanent residency, a process that could take several years. Under the proposed new Senate bill, illegal immigrants could seek a renewable "Z visa" after paying a $5,000 (£2,530) fine.
They could ultimately be placed on the path to permanent residency - a process that could take several years.
Heads of household would have to return to their home country first to file the visa application.Heads of household would have to return to their home country first to file the visa application.
Hi-tech surveillanceHi-tech surveillance
The bill also sets out a "points system" that emphasises immigrants' education, language and job skills over family connections in awarding green cards.The bill also sets out a "points system" that emphasises immigrants' education, language and job skills over family connections in awarding green cards.
The bill also establishes a two-year temporary guest worker visa.The bill also establishes a two-year temporary guest worker visa.
But these measures would not come into force until 18,000 new border guards are deployed, the fence with Mexico reinforced and hi-tech surveillance in place.But these measures would not come into force until 18,000 new border guards are deployed, the fence with Mexico reinforced and hi-tech surveillance in place.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has said carrying out those provisions would take about 18 months.Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has said carrying out those provisions would take about 18 months.
Several opponents of the bill in Congress have said the proposal amounts to an "amnesty" for breaking the law.Several opponents of the bill in Congress have said the proposal amounts to an "amnesty" for breaking the law.
Other critics have said the plan would limit the right of legal immigrants to be joined by their families.Other critics have said the plan would limit the right of legal immigrants to be joined by their families.
Immigrants rights groups have also voiced concern at the bill, arguing the guest worker proposal will deny temporary workers the right to apply for permanent residency.Immigrants rights groups have also voiced concern at the bill, arguing the guest worker proposal will deny temporary workers the right to apply for permanent residency.