US lawmakers close in on immigration overhaul

Washington, May 16: A bipartisan group of US lawmakers negotiating a broad immigration overhaul are close to a deal that would legalize the status of millions of illegal immigrants and put them on a path to citizenship, lawmakers and congressional aides said.

Two leading senators, Democrat Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Republican Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, said substantial progress had been made.

Kennedy spokeswoman Laura Capps said a deal was not in hand last evening and negotiations would resume today.

Senators said the talks had made progress and negotiators hoped to strike a deal before a crucial Senate vote on immigration that is likely on Monday.

''It looks like there is a good chance (of an agreement) but it is not there yet,'' said Sen Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat.

Aides said the group had agreed on major portions of the bill including provisions that would legalize the status of an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants and put them on a path to citizenship after paying a fine and meeting other requirements. But lawmakers cautioned that a number of important details, such as the ability to bring family into the country, remain unsettled.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said negotiators had made ''some accomplishments'' but were ''a day or two short'' of a final agreement.

Lawmakers are working on the details of a guest worker program that is likely to raise opposition from labour unions worried that an influx of temporary foreign workers would depress wages.

The guest worker program would go forward after border security and other enforcement measures have gone into effect, according to one aide. The bill also would include a special program for agriculture workers.

Lawmakers are also discussing a merit-based system that would apply to some future immigrants. Potential immigrants would earn points for skills, language and families ties.

The talks, which include Kennedy, Republican Sen Jon Kyl of Arizona and at least two high-ranking Bush administration officials, are reaching a crucial point as the Senate prepares to vote today whether to take up last year's legislation.

Republicans oppose that bill, even though many of them voted for it last year, and have threatened to block it in hopes the bipartisan negotiations could produce legislation closer to their liking.

Last year's Senate bill, which was never considered by the US House of Representatives, combined tough border security and workplace enforcement with a plan to give millions of illegal immigrants a chance to become US citizens. It also would have created a guest worker program that would have allowed some of those workers to eventually become citizens.

Reuters
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