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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Setback for US immigration reform | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A bill to reform US immigration law has stalled after the Senate failed to vote to make progress on the measure. | |
| This followed a series of amendments to the proposed bill, which appear to have upset a fragile bipartisan compromise. | This followed a series of amendments to the proposed bill, which appear to have upset a fragile bipartisan compromise. |
| The bill would have tightened border controls, but given 12 million illegal immigrants already in the US a way to legal status and citizenship. | The bill would have tightened border controls, but given 12 million illegal immigrants already in the US a way to legal status and citizenship. |
| Illegal immigration is among voters' top concerns and is set to be a key issue in the 2008 presidential poll. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| Party leaders have promised they will work to try to bring a bill back to the Senate for a new attempt to make progress within the next few weeks. | |
| But the vote is a serious blow to the president's chances of achieving comprehensive immigration reform before he leaves office, correspondents say. | |
| Official language | Official language |
| The bipartisan bill had elements which were hard for both Democrats and Republicans to accept. | The bipartisan bill had elements which were hard for both Democrats and Republicans to accept. |
| After two weeks of debate, the bill finally stalled late on Thursday, when only 45 senators voted in favour of bringing debate to an end and moving the bill to its final passage. | After two weeks of debate, the bill finally stalled late on Thursday, when only 45 senators voted in favour of bringing debate to an end and moving the bill to its final passage. |
| I think we're giving up on this bill too soon Mitch McConnellSenate Minority Leader | I think we're giving up on this bill too soon Mitch McConnellSenate Minority Leader |
| Sixty votes were required for the motion to pass. | Sixty votes were required for the motion to pass. |
| Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid removed the bill from the business schedule and proceeded to other matters. | Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid removed the bill from the business schedule and proceeded to other matters. |
| ""I, even though disappointed, look forward to passing this bill," he said. | ""I, even though disappointed, look forward to passing this bill," he said. |
| However, Republicans - many of whom believe the bill should be tougher on illegal immigrants - had sought more time for debate. | However, Republicans - many of whom believe the bill should be tougher on illegal immigrants - had sought more time for debate. |
| "I think we're giving up on this bill too soon," said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. | "I think we're giving up on this bill too soon," said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. |
| Earlier, the Senate defeated an amendment that would have prevented large numbers of illegal immigrants taking advantage of the proposed legalisation programme. | Earlier, 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. | 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. |
| Border security | Border 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 set out a "points system" that emphasises immigrants' education, language and job skills over family connections in awarding green cards. | The bill also set 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. |
| Some Democrats say the bill would destroy families, because people's employment prospects, rather than links to relatives already in the United States, would be a key criterion in allocating visas. | Some Democrats say the bill would destroy families, because people's employment prospects, rather than links to relatives already in the United States, would be a key criterion in allocating visas. |