Mark Oliver and agencies
Friday April 7, 2006
Pro-immigration protesters in El Paso, Texas. Photograph: Rudy Gutierrez/AP
US politicians reached a breakthrough overnight on an immigration bill that would put the vast majority of the country's 11 million "illegal immigrants" on the path to US citizenship.
Republican and Democratic members of the US senate have been in bitter dispute over immigration reform in recent weeks, while thousands of "illegal immigrants" and pro-reformers have demonstrated across the country.
A tortuously-agreed compromise was finally reached last night on the vexed issue of legalisation after movement from hardline Republicans nervous about losing Latino votes in November's congressional elections.
But a short time after the compromise deal was reached a procedural spat developed over possible amendments which may yet derail the bill, which if adopted would bring in the biggest changes to US immigration law for two decades
The compromise would allow "illegal immigrants" who have been in the US more than five years - around seven million people - to seek citizenship if they remain employed.
The bill would also create a temporary worker programme for around 350,000 jobs a year, which could be filled by "illegal immigrants" who have been in the US for less than five years.
Some more liberal Republicans were calling the compromise a touchstone moment for the party on immigration. But a significant group of conservatives still see the moves towards legalisation as tantamount to an amnesty for criminals and are pushing for amendments to the compromise deal. The Democrats are fighting any amendments, saying these would undermine the bill.
The bill requires a vote in the senate to become law and it was not clear whether the wrangling would be sorted out in time to get the legislation approved by tonight. If it is not approved today it will be put on hold until Congress returns from a two-week Easter recess.
There were concerns in some quarters that the compromise could unravel if the deal was exposed to intense partisan political scrutiny over the break.
Elements from both sides criticised the compromise deal. The US president, George Bush, has supported some form of temporary worker programme but has been careful to avoid exacerbating splits in his party ahead of the elections.
Last night he applauded the senate's efforts to draft a bill. "I would encourage the members to work hard to get the bill done prior to the upcoming break," Mr Bush said.
Both sides are sensitive to the risks of damaging their Latino vote, which is the fastest-growing voting bloc in the US and already accounts for more than 12% of the electorate.
Many Republicans had previously supported tough legislation approved by the House of Representatives last December which made it a federal felony to live illegally in the US, but the proximity of elections and the recent demonstrations have changed attitudes.
Around 500,000 demonstrators calling for immigration reforms took to the streets of Los Angeles a fortnight ago, and there have also been marches in New York, Chicago and other cities. More demonstrations are planned for Monday, including one in Washington that organisers claim will draw 100,000 people.
Republican senator John McCain, one of the favourites for the party's nomination for president in 2008, co-sponsored the bill with Democrat senator Edward Kennedy. Mr McCain was disappointed last night that the bill was delayed.
"The fact that we did not act tonight is a huge blow," he said.
The bill would essentially separate "illegal immigrants" now living unlawfully in the US into three categories:
· Those who have been in the US for more than five years could work for six years and apply for legal permanent residency - ie a green card - without having to leave the country. They would also have to pay $2,000 (£1,140) in fines and back taxes, clear background checks - including into criminal records - and learn English.
· Those who have been in the US for two to five years would have to go to border entry points sometime in the next three years, however they could immediately return as temporary workers. This category probably accounts for around three million people.
· Those who have been in the US less than two years would have to leave and wait in line for visas like everyone else to return. This group is probably around a million people.
It was estimated that it could take some "illegal immigrants" up to 14 years to become citizens, partially because there is an annual limit of 450,000 on green cards, which are a precursor to full citizenship.
The proposed bill includes provisions requiring employers to verify they have hired legal workers and calls for a "virtual" fence of surveillance cameras, sensors and other technology to monitor the porous US-Mexican border, which spans nearly 2,000 miles.
