US Senate votes on key amendments to the massive Immigration Bill

Washington, May 18 (UNI) The US Senate has unanimously endorsed a chance for millions of illegal immigrants to obtain US citizenship while also approving the construction of a 600-km fence along the US-Mexican border to prevent illegal immigration.

The bill, which was passed yesterday, includes increased border security, a guest worker programme and an eventual opportunity for many of the estimated 11-million illegal immigrants currently in the United States to apply for US citizenship.

The vote comes two days after President George Bush said he would send six thousand National Guard troops to help secure the US-Mexican border.

Senators also voted (83 to 16) to build nearly 600 kilometers of fencing along the border with Mexico. Senator Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican, sponsored the measure.

''Good fences make good neighbours,'' said Senator Sessions.

Passage of the amendment is seen as a victory for Republican conservatives, who would like to see the bill emphasise border security.

Many conservatives oppose the bill's temporary guest worker provision, which would offer illegal immigrants a path to eventual US citizenship if they meet a series of conditions. They sought unsuccessfully to strip the provision from the legislation.

Meanwhile, thousands of pro-immigrant advocates rallied in Washington to press for legislation to recognise the contributions made by immigrants.

The demonstrators began their rally (Yesterday) at the Washington Monument near the White House before marching to Capitol Hill.

Leaders also met members of Congress to press for a temporary worker programme and a path to citizenship for many undocumented workers.

Also, President Bush sent his chief political advisor, Karl Rove, to press House Republicans to let many illegal immigrants apply for US citizenship and reassure them about securing the nation's border.

The Republican-dominated House passed an immigration bill in December that would make living in the US illegally, a felony.

The House and Senate versions of the bill must be reconciled in committee before final legislation can be presented to the President to be enacted into law.

As the Senate debates a major overhaul of the nation's immigration laws, President Bush is travelling to Yuma, Arizona state today.

Yuma is considered a symbol of the system that Bush frequently describes, where desperate people risk their lives for a chance to earn decent wages from US employers. He has also planned a round of interviews with all the television networks to help sell his ideas, which face tough opposition in Congress.

Yuma town is heavily reliant on agriculture, and farmers are eager to employ immigrants at low wages to harvest fresh crops that are increasingly in demand across the country. The remote outpost is also one of the hottest places in the country, and a growing number of Mexicans die each year trying to cross the border as Border Patrols increase along the 2,000 mile dividing line.

The problem has become a big emotional issue on both sides of the US-Mexican border and divided the state's politicians, who do not agree with Bush's proposed solution.

The governor, Janet Napolitano, is a Democrat but agrees with President Bush that the United States should allow more foreigners to have temporary work permits to enter the country while strengthening security at the border.

UNI XC VJ BD1931