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Senate faces immigration showdown Blow for Senate immigration bill
(about 6 hours later)
Debate on a controversial overhaul of US immigration law is set to enter a key phase on Thursday as senators wrestle over the legislation's remit. A controversial overhaul of US immigration law has suffered a setback after the Senate failed to agree to move to a final vote on the measure.
In a long session on Wednesday, senators debated and voted on a series of amendments to the proposed bill. It followed a series of amendments to the proposed bill, which appear to have upset a fragile bipartisan compromise.
The Senate is now expected to vote on a motion to limit debate and clear the way for a final vote. Republicans say they want more time to consider the legislation. A new vote will take place later on Thursday.
The bill being debated could give legal status to most of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the US. The bill being debated could give legal status to most of an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the US.
Illegal immigration, which opinion polls place among voters' top concerns, is set to be a key issue in the 2008 presidential election.Illegal immigration, which opinion polls place among voters' top concerns, is set to be a key issue in the 2008 presidential election.
President George W Bush has made immigration reform one of his priorities and has previously said he wanted to see new legislation in place by the end of the year. President George W Bush has made immigration reform one of his priorities and has previously said he wants to see new legislation in place by the end of the year.
However, the legislation has still to be debated by the House of Representatives and needs to be passed by both houses to become law.However, the legislation has still to be debated by the House of Representatives and needs to be passed by both houses to become law.
A fragile bipartisan compromise was reached on the scope of the bill so it could be put before the Senate but during Wednesday's session it faced a series of stiff challenges.
Official languageOfficial language
The Senate defeated an amendment that would have prevented large numbers of illegal immigrants of taking advantage of the proposed legalisation programme. Backers of the bipartisan bill were left with few options after the Senate voted 33-63 early on Thursday on a motion to limit debate, well short of the 60 needed to move to a final vote.
But the bill's supporters suffered a setback when senators voted 49 to 48 to end a proposed temporary guest-worker programme after five years. Rushing this bill benefits no-one and jeopardises the fragile compromise both sides have worked hard to achieve Mitch McConnellSenate Minority Leader However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid scheduled a new motion to move to a final vote on the proposed bill later on Thursday, stepping back from his earlier threats to withdraw the legislation altogether.
Before the first vote, Senator Reid reminded Republicans that the legislation had the support of their party's leader, saying: "This is the president's bill."
But Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said more time was needed to work on the legislation.
"Rushing this bill benefits no-one and jeopardises the fragile compromise both sides have worked hard to achieve," he said.
Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy, who helped broker the compromise, said lawmakers would work together to try to find a solution.
The compromise began to unravel during Wednesday's Senate session, under the pressure of a series of amendments.
The Senate defeated an amendment that would have prevented large numbers of illegal immigrants taking advantage of the proposed legalisation programme.
But the bill's supporters suffered a blow when senators voted 49 to 48 to end a proposed temporary guest-worker programme after five years.
An amendment put forward by Republican Sen James Inhofe that would make English the official language of the US was passed by 64 votes to 33.An amendment put forward by Republican Sen James Inhofe that would make English the official language of the US was passed by 64 votes to 33.
The Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, has scheduled a vote on Thursday to limit the time for debate.
He has said he will shelve the legislation if he fails to get the 60 votes he needs to move the bill forward.
Republicans, who want more time to propose amendments, have threatened to try to block the motion.
Border securityBorder security
Under the proposed new Senate bill, illegal immigrants could seek a renewable "Z visa" after paying a $5,000 (£2,530) fine.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.They could ultimately be placed on the path to permanent residency - a process that could take several years.
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.
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.
Opponents of the bill have said the proposal amounts to an "amnesty" for breaking the law.Opponents of the bill 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.