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Immigration reform: US senators in bipartisan deal Immigration reform: US senators in bipartisan deal
(35 minutes later)
A bipartisan group of US senators is unveilling a comprehensive plan for reform of the immigration system. A bipartisan group of US senators has unveiled a bill for sweeping reform of the immigration system this year.
The framework calls for a path to citizenship for many of the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US, while tightening border security.The framework calls for a path to citizenship for many of the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US, while tightening border security.
The eight senators are promoting their plan a day before President Obama presents his own blueprint. The eight senators promoted their plan a day before President Obama presents his own blueprint.
Correspondents say conservatives' hard line on immigration has become an electoral liability for Republicans.Correspondents say conservatives' hard line on immigration has become an electoral liability for Republicans.
In last November's elections, President Obama, a Democrat, won more than 70% of the Hispanic vote.In last November's elections, President Obama, a Democrat, won more than 70% of the Hispanic vote.
'Time is right''Time is right'
Senator Charles Schumer of New York told Monday's news conference he hoped the group's proposal could pass the Senate by late spring or summer.
However, the bipartisan group's blueprint could face stiff opposition in the Republican-dominated House of Representatives.However, the bipartisan group's blueprint could face stiff opposition in the Republican-dominated House of Representatives.
We are witnessing the rare sight of Republicans and Democrats working together, led by high-profile senators who have a geographical stake in the issue. The business community is broadly on board and the Obama White House is extremely keen - no doubt sensing a "legacy moment".We are witnessing the rare sight of Republicans and Democrats working together, led by high-profile senators who have a geographical stake in the issue. The business community is broadly on board and the Obama White House is extremely keen - no doubt sensing a "legacy moment".
It is, of course, far from a done deal. Translating principles into legislation will take time and require compromise. Beyond that, reform will be contingent on a critical mass of support from House Republicans, many of whom harbour suspicions of anything resembling an amnesty.It is, of course, far from a done deal. Translating principles into legislation will take time and require compromise. Beyond that, reform will be contingent on a critical mass of support from House Republicans, many of whom harbour suspicions of anything resembling an amnesty.
But senior Republicans are desperate to claw back Hispanic votes after losing heavily to Mr Obama in this fast-growing segment of the electorate. For party strategists, immigration reform equals a fresh start with Latino voters. It's telling that Republican standard bearers on this issue include likely contenders for a 2016 presidential run.But senior Republicans are desperate to claw back Hispanic votes after losing heavily to Mr Obama in this fast-growing segment of the electorate. For party strategists, immigration reform equals a fresh start with Latino voters. It's telling that Republican standard bearers on this issue include likely contenders for a 2016 presidential run.
Many lawmakers there denounce a path to legalisation for undocumented immigrants as an "amnesty" for lawbreakers.Many lawmakers there denounce a path to legalisation for undocumented immigrants as an "amnesty" for lawbreakers.
On Sunday, Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona told ABC's This Week: "There's a new appreciation on both sides of the aisle including, maybe more importantly, on the Republican side of the aisle, that we have to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona told the news conference the reform would be "very difficult, but achievable".
"I think the time is right." On the undocumented migrants, he said: "We, the American people, have been too content for too long to allow individuals to mow our lawn, serve us food, clean our homes and even watch our children while not affording them any of the benefits that make our country so great.
Sen McCain, who has in the past backed a pathway to citizenship against his party line, is among the group of senators who crafted the framework. "I think everyone here agrees that it is not beneficial for our country to have these people here hidden in the shadows. Let's create a system to bring them forward, allow them to settle their debt to society and fulfil the necessary requirements to become law-abiding citizens of this country."
The other seven are Democrats Charles Schumer of New York, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Michael Bennet of Colorado; and Republicans Marco Rubio of Florida, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Jeff Flake of Arizona. Sen McCain has previously backed a pathway to citizenship against his party line.
The other six senators are Democrats Dick Durbin of Illinois, Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Michael Bennet of Colorado; and Republicans Marco Rubio of Florida, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Jeff Flake of Arizona.
In addition to a path to permanent residence and eventual citizenship, they call for measures to strengthen border security and to speed the path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who came to the US as children.In addition to a path to permanent residence and eventual citizenship, they call for measures to strengthen border security and to speed the path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who came to the US as children.
It will include a system to track departures from the US of visitors on tourist, student and other temporary visas.It will include a system to track departures from the US of visitors on tourist, student and other temporary visas.
President Obama is expected to travel on Tuesday to Las Vegas to lay out his own immigration-reform vision, which is expected to be similar to that of the senators.President Obama is expected to travel on Tuesday to Las Vegas to lay out his own immigration-reform vision, which is expected to be similar to that of the senators.
In a statement, White House spokesman Clark Stevens said Mr Obama was "pleased that progress is being made with bipartisan support".In a statement, White House spokesman Clark Stevens said Mr Obama was "pleased that progress is being made with bipartisan support".
"At the same time, he will not be satisfied until there is meaningful reform and he will continue to urge Congress to act until that is achieved," he added."At the same time, he will not be satisfied until there is meaningful reform and he will continue to urge Congress to act until that is achieved," he added.
Previous efforts to overhaul the immigration system failed in the Senate in 2006 and 2007.Previous efforts to overhaul the immigration system failed in the Senate in 2006 and 2007.