"Georgia Immigration" - (Google) News Sweep - 4/7/'06 12:45AM
"Georgia Immigration" - (Google) News Sweep - 4/7/'06 12:45AM
4/7/'06 - The following article(s) were found in the media. Several stories are provided ... with links to the original sources ... for your convenience:
- Is immigration bill what voters want? (Savannah Now)
- US parties agree immigration deal (BBC)
- Senate 'breakthrough' on immigration (CNN)
- Senate Focuses on Immigration Compromise (New York Times)
- Senators seal immigration deal (Reuters)
- Senate reaches 'breakthrough' on immigration (CNN)
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http://www.savannahnow.com/stories/040606/3772027.shtml
Is immigration bill what voters want?
Some question whether it's good policy, but few deny it's good politics
larry.peterson@savannahnow.com
There are 250,000 illegal immigrants in Georgia.
Or 800,000.
They pay millions in taxes.
Or is that what taxpayers pay to subsidize them?
Such figures flew at legislators from the day they returned to Atlanta in January.
Debate continues over which numbers to believe and what they mean.
But the ones that mattered most may have been those lawmakers saw in the Peach State's biggest newspaper two days before they convened.
An Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll found that 61 percent of Georgians deemed it "very important" that the Legislature restrict state services to illegals.
Legislators already knew the issue was on people's minds.
Brad Alexander, spokesman for Republican State Sen. Casey Cagle's campaign for lieutenant governor, explained why.
"If you're at a political forum anywhere in Georgia," he said, "chances are 50-50 that the first question you hear is on illegal immigration."
So few were surprised when the legislature passed what some call the nation's toughest anti-illegal-immigrant bill last week.
"Georgia became the first state to aggressively address a comprehensive solution," said State Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson, R-Savannah.
Gov. Sonny Perdue is expected to sign the measure, which would deny some benefits to illegals.
"Basically," said University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock, citing the January poll, "this reflects the legislators' sense of what the public wants."
Apparently, according to other polls, they've wanted it for years.
State Sen. Chip Rogers, sponsor of the bill, recently said he sensed that wherever he's traveled in the state.
"It takes a while ... (for) the jump from the public's perception to the legislators finally getting ahold of it," the Woodstock Republican said in a recent television interview.
Election-year politics
It also helps that this is an even-numbered year.
"What you're seeing here," said Matt Gewalb, spokesman for Senate Democratic leader Robert Brown, D-Macon, "is election-year politics."
Atlanta political analyst Bill Shipp agrees.
Shipp sees the bill as part of the Republicans' attempt to keep their grip on a voting bloc that helped lift them into power.
"You know," Shipp said, referring to small-town conservatives who used to be Democrats, "the good old boys who hang around the garages and the pool halls."
Indeed, said Scott A.L. Beck, assistant professor of education at Georgia Southern University, immigration is not new as a Georgia election issue.
Beck said the issue was used more than a decade ago by Republicans such as former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr.
"Georgia is a conservative state and has little experience with immigrants," he said, "so it is easy for politicians to sound tough ... There is political hay to be made."
When the current immigrant boom was starting to be noticed, Beck said, Gingrich and Barr won seats in part by backing stricter immigration controls.
It was a vote-getter with little political risk in suburban Atlanta, where the two legislators' districts were, he said.
Soon thereafter, though, immigration police raided fields during the Vidalia onion harvest.
Ironically, Beck says, two other Georgia Republicans, the late U.S. Sen. Paul Coverdale and U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston of Savannah, intervened. They brokered a deal that let the workers stay through the harvest.
The Vidalia onion harvest illustrates how Republicans are split on the issue nationally as well as in Georgia as the issue plays out in Congress. The party's big business supporters need cheap - and often illegal - immigrant laborers as badly as its social conservatives want to exclude them.
But State Rep. Tom Bordeaux, D-Savannah, says Georgia GOP lawmakers found a way to avoid backlash from the business community.
"Anyone who thinks that's the toughest bill in the country didn't read the bill," Bordeaux said. "It was watered down to almost nothing."
Provisions that might burden business interests wouldn't take effect for a year or two, Bordeaux said. By then, he added, "Congress will have to do something" and that may cancel out key provisions of any Georgia law.
The real purpose of the bill is political, Bordeaux said. "It's something designed to scare people, worry people and make people afraid," he said. "And then give them an easy button to cure it."
How will voters respond?
Political consultant David Simons, whose clients include several GOP legislative leaders, acknowledges that the bill is geared to election-year politics.
"It's a big issue for us to go campaign on," he said. "It's the right issue at the right time. It's on people's minds right now."
But he denies that its appeal is rooted in fear or dislike of outsiders. Instead, he contends, it's a matter of basic fairness.
"It's a simple question," he said. "Should your tax dollars help illegal residents get services when there might not be enough for citizens? That's a winning issue.
"It might not be something that deeply affects most Georgians, but it resonates with voters."
Simons said the issue will be used this year against Democrats who opposed the bill.
Others agree, but there's no consensus whether it will work.
"It might, but it might not," said State Sen. Regina Thomas, D-Savannah. "It depends on the makeup of the district."
Some Democrats who voted against the bill, she said, are in such safely Democratic districts that the issue likely won't make a difference there.
But Bordeaux said there are at least a few Democrats in marginal districts whose "no" votes might jeopardize their seats.
Emory University political science professor Merle Black doesn't discount that possibility, but said Republicans likely will use the issue as "more of a plus."
"This will be the first election, since they took over the Legislature last year," Black said. "They're creating a record to run on."
Immigration already has become an issue in at least one GOP primary election.
Lieutenant governor hopeful Ralph Reed has used it against Cagle, who voted for the bill.
Reed faults Cagle for failing to support a separate proposal that would have required that drivers licenses identify non-citizens as such.
Cagle spokesman Alexander said the senator was concerned that the proposal would set a precedent that could let illegal immigrants be licensed.
In any case, Black said, the Reed gambit "shows the power of the (immigration) issue."
GOP: Solving problems is good politics
Republican leaders such as Rogers say the problem was a long time in the making and acknowledge that the bill is only a partial remedy.
But they reject contentions that it's just an election-year ploy.
"On balance," Senate leader Johnson said, "we succeeded in crafting a comprehensive bill that will prevent Georgia from becoming an magnet for illegal immigrants."
He praised Rogers for accepting amendments that attempted to deal with concerns from Hispanics, business interests and others.
And, like Simons, Johnson noted concerns that services to illegals are creating stresses for already stretched school and health programs.
"It's not surprising that a lot of people feel that our limited resources should be for those truly in need and that resident citizens should have first priority," he said.
"Clearly there was a problem. ... If trying to fix a problem is politics .... Well, that's what we were elected to do."
State Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah, agreed, saying taxpayers have made it clear they don't want to subsidize illegals.
He dismissed Democratic contentions that immigration is a federal issue only and that the state therefore should defer to Congress.
Stephens noted that Congress appears to be deadlocked on the matter.
"Congress isn't doing anything," he said. "The feds don't want to belly up to the bar. We decided enough is enough and decided to step up to the plate."
Stephens conceded that the upcoming elections probably gave the bill more momentum.
"If it takes an election year to get it done," he said, "so be it."
Major provisions of Senate Bill 529
Denies some state benefits to illegal immigrants
Requires residency status to be checked for people who work on government-funded projects.
Bars businesses from deducting payroll taxes from workers unless they see documentation showing they are legal U.S. residents.
Makes "trafficking a person for labor or sexual servitude" a felony.
Requires employers to withhold 6 percent state income taxes from wages paid to illegals as independent contractors.
SB 529: HOW CHATHAM COUNTY LAWMAKERS VOTED
Sen. Eric Johnson, R-Savannah: Yes
Sen. Regina Thomas, D-Savannah: No
Rep. Tom Bordeaux, D-Savannah: No
Rep. Bob Bryant, D-Garden City: No
Rep. Burke Day, R-Tybee Island: Yes
Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler: Yes
Rep. Lester Jackson, D-Savannah: No
Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah: Yes
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4885672.stm
Last Updated: Thursday, 6 April 2006, 21:29 GMT 22:29 UK
| US parties agree immigration deal | ||
The breakthrough could clear the way for approval of legislation granting millions of illegal immigrants the right to stay in the US. President George Bush said he was encouraged by the development. The deal, which came after weeks of wrangling, now requires a full Senate vote that could take place before Friday night. "I'm pleased that Republicans and Democrats in the United States Senate are working together to get a comprehensive immigration bill," President Bush said in a statement welcoming the accord. Various requirements The deal would allow illegal immigrants who arrived in the US five years ago or earlier to be allowed to stay subject to various criteria, including a criminal background check. Those who have lived in the US for less than five years but more than two years would be able to get a temporary work visa - but they first must leave the country and would be fingerprinted and processed on their return. They would be given priority in applying for US residency over future immigrants entering as temporary workers. However, under the bill, millions of illegal immigrants who have been in the country for less than two years would be required to return to their countries of origin. Conservative senator Sam Brownback called the immigration debate "probably the most divisive issue in America today". "I hope this compromise ends up bringing us together, and I believe it can," he said. | ||
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http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/06/immigration.ap/index.html
Senate 'breakthrough' on immigration
Bipartisan compromise also draws criticism from both sides
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Putting aside party differences, Senate Republicans and Democrats coalesced Thursday around compromise legislation that holds out the hope of citizenship to many of the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the United States unlawfully.
"We can no longer afford to delay reform," said Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in a statement that capped weeks of struggle to find common ground.
But delay soon set in, as party leaders became embroiled in a procedural spat that threatened prospects for passage by week's end, if not longer. Democrats blocked votes on Republican amendments, and Republicans promptly accused Democrats of trying to scuttle a bill they had embraced earlier in the day. (Watch critics attack the compromise -- 2:23)
"I believe there are some people who would rather have no bill," said Sen. Mel Martinez, a Florida Republican and a Cuban-born first-term senator who has taken a visible role in compromise efforts.
The seesaw nature of events was in keeping with the unpredictable course of the election-year legislation, designed to enhance border security and regulate the flow of future temporary workers as well as affect the lives of illegal immigrants.
President Bush said he was pleased with the developments and urged the Senate to pass legislation by week's end.
But the emerging compromise drew fire from both ends of the political spectrum.
Conservative Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, likened it to an amnesty bill that cleared Congress in 1986, while AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said it threatened to "drive millions of hardworking immigrants further into the shadows of American society, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation."
Still, after days of partisan, election-year rancor, an overnight breakthrough on the future of illegal immigrants propelled the Senate closer to passage of the most sweeping immigration legislation in two decades.
In an indication of the complicated political forces at work, officials of both parties disagreed about which side had blinked.
But they agreed that a decision to reduce the number of future temporary workers allowed into the country had broken a deadlock that threatened as late as Wednesday night to scuttle efforts to pass a bill. The change will limit temporary work permits to 325,000 a year, down from 400,000 in earlier versions of the bill.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, characterized the developments as a "huge breakthrough." Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said he was optimistic about final passage, but cautioned, "We can't declare victory."
Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Arlen Specter, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said: "While it admittedly is not perfect, the choice we have to make is whether it is better than no bill, and the choice is decisive."
Officials described a complex series of provisions:
• Illegal immigrants who have been in the country for at least five years could receive legal status after meeting several conditions, including payment of a $2,000 fines and any back taxes, clearing a background check and learning English. After six more years, they could apply for citizenship without having to leave the United States.
• Illegal immigrants in the country for between two and five years could obtain a temporary work visa after reporting to a border point of entry. Aides referred to this as "touch base and return," since people covered would know in advance they would be readmitted to the United States.
• Officials said it could take as long as 13 to 14 years for some illegal immigrants to gain citizenship. It part, that stems from an annual limit of 450,000 on green cards, which confer legal permanent residency and are a precursor to citizenship status.
• Illegal immigrants in the United States for less than two years would be required to leave the country and apply for re-entry alongside anyone else seeking to emigrate.
Separately, the legislation provides a new program for 1.5 million temporary agriculture industry workers over five years.
It also includes provisions for employers to verify the legal status of workers they hire, but it was not clear what sanctions, if any, would apply to violators.
To secure the border, the bill calls for a virtual fence -- as opposed to the literal barrier contained in House legislation -- consisting of surveillance cameras, sensors and other monitoring equipment along the long, porous border with Mexico.
Conservatives unhappy with the deal voiced their concerns to Frist, while Democrats sought assurances that the agreement would not be undercut in any future compromise talks with the House.
McCain told reporters that he and other members of the GOP were circulating a letter pledging to vote against any changes demanded by the House that "would destroy this very delicately crafted compromise."
The House has passed legislation limited to border security, but Speaker Dennis Hastert, an Illinois Republican, and other leaders have signaled their willingness in recent days to broaden the bill in compromise talks with the House.
Unpredictable fallout
The comments sparked a furious counterattack from critics.
"I can just about guarantee you we're not going to get a majority of the House members [to agree] on amnesty to 10 million people," Rep. Tom Tancredo, a Colorado Republican, said at a news conference.
"I am disappointed that apparently Mr. Frist has caved in to the desires of Democrats, to Kennedy," he added.
Tancredo's remarks underscored the unpredictable political fallout from the issue as Republicans seek legislation to fortify the borders without offending the fast-growing Hispanic voting population.
Bush has long argued that a guest worker program is an essential element of border security, but potential challengers for the 2008 GOP nomination have come at the issue from a variety of perspectives.
McCain and Kennedy have worked hard to find common ground, and Sen. Sam Brownback, a Kansas Republican, supported a bipartisan measure that emerged from the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Frist, a potential presidential candidate in 2008, sought to establish more conservative credentials when he initially backed a bill limited to border security, an approach that drew criticism from some members of the rank and file who said he was placing his own ambitions ahead of the party's interest.
At the same time, Frist has repeatedly called for a comprehensive bill -- adopting Bush's rhetoric -- and involved himself in the fitful negotiations over the past several days.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/06/washington/06cnd-immig.html?hp&ex=1144382400&en=6d67375fd1fd9fe0&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Senate Focuses on Immigration Compromise
Senators of both parties gathered on Capitol Hill today to discuss progress in the negotiations.
WASHINGTON, April 6 — With a Republican compromise in hand, the Senate appeared headed today toward an agreement on the volatile subject of illegal immigration.
The action came after the Senate rejected by a decisive margin a plan to advance a bill approved by Judiciary Committee. This cleared the way to begin deliberations on the Republican plan that would be more restrictive on granting citizenship than the Judiciary Committee's approach.
President Bush congratulated the legislators on their progress and urged them to complete action before a recess that is scheduled to begin this weekend.
Speaking during a visit Charlotte, N.C., Mr. Bush said, "I'm pleased that Republicans and Democrats in the United States Senate are working together to get a comprehensive immigration bill."
Mr. Bush said he was aware final agreement had not been reached. "I recognize that there are still details to be worked out," he said. "I would encourage the members to work hard to get the bill done prior to the upcoming break."
Earlier in the day a bipartisan bill approved by the Judiciary Committee failed to gain the 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster if it were to be brought to the floor.
The vote to cut off debate on the bill, which would have put nearly all of the nation's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants on a path toward citizenship, a provision that has been denounced by its opponents as offering "amnesty," failed by a wide margin — 60 no votes to 39 in favor.
All 55 Republican senators voted against cutting off debate, as did five Democrats: Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Bill Nelson of Florida and Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan, both of North Dakota.
Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader said the Senate would then take up the new compromise, reached late Wednesday night by a group of Republicans.
But while the compromise was endorsed by Mr. Frist, a Republican of Tennessee, it did not have the commitment of all Republicans, much less Democrats.
The Democratic leader, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada said he agreed with Mr. Frist's statement that there had been a "huge breakthrough" overnight, he cautioned that the agreement was not complete.
However, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, while continuing to push for protections for workers, said today that the Republican compromise had "bridged a wide divide."
As described by Mr. Frist in television interviews, today the compromise would place illegal immigrants in three categories:
¶Those who have lived in the country at least five years would be put on a path toward guaranteed citizenship, provided that they remained employed, paid fines and back taxes, and learned English. Mr. Frist said said this group accounted for about 60 percent of the roughly 11 million illegal immigrants believed to be living here.
¶Those who have lived here for two to five years, said to number about three million, would have to leave the country briefly before reporting to an American port of entry, where they would be classified as temporary workers. They would be allowed to apply for citizenship but would have no guarantee of obtaining it. Those who did not would have to leave after participating in the temporary worker program for six years.
¶The remaining one million or so, those who have lived in the country less than two years, would be required to leave. They could apply for temporary worker status but would not be guaranteed it.
Mr. Frist said in an interview with CNN that the key to the compromise was a recognition that illegal immigrants "are not a monolithic group."
Those who have stayed in the country more than five years "are more likely to be assimilated into society," he said. Also, there was a recognition "that it's impractical, it's impossible, to send everybody home."
Mr. Frist said the compromise bill would be combined with one he had proposed concerning border security and cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants.
Senators of both parties and their aides had huddled in meetings throughout the day, trying to hash out a deal by week's end, the deadline set by Mr. Frist for a vote on an immigration bill. For the first time, senior Democrats, including Senators Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, joined in the negotiations, an acknowledgment that they lacked the backing to get a vote on broader legalization.
Lawmakers, who gave impassioned partisan speeches on the floor earlier, had remained deadlocked late into the night Wednesday in a search for a compromise. Senators warned that if the negotiations collapsed, Congress might fail to take action this year on an issue that has riveted the nation and pushed tens of thousands of immigrants and their supporters into the streets for rallies across the country.
Republicans said the compromise, whose prominent backers include Mr. McCain and Senators Mel Martinez of Florida and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, would attract votes from their members who are uncomfortable with broader legalization. But the compromise cannot pass without the support of Democrats, who said they were still weighing their options.
"Aren't we entitled to at least a chance to have a vote on a comprehensive approach?" Mr. Kennedy said.
There were signs, though, that some of Mr. Kennedy's allies among business and immigrant advocacy groups were throwing their support behind the compromise proposal.
The leaders of the Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, which represents hotels, restaurants and other service industries, said a limited legalization would be better than a bill that focused solely on tightening border security.
Any bill passed by the Senate would have to be reconciled with one passed by the House that calls for deporting all illegal immigrants as felons, and would make it a crime to offer them assistance of any kind.
Mr. Frist said the impassioned debate in the Senate over the past two weeks "shows that it's not where the House is."
"Our approach is more complete," he said.
Rachel L. Swarns reported from Washington for this article and John Holusha from New York. John O'Neil contributed reporting from New York and David Stout from Washington.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-04-06T183511Z_01_N06302542_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-IMMIGRATION.xml&archived=False
 | ||||||
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate leaders announced a breakthrough on Thursday on a long-sought overhaul of immigration law, clearing the way for possible approval of a bill that would give millions of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.
Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada told reporters some details had to be worked out, but that they expected the Senate to pass a comprehensive reform package before lawmakers leave for a two-week break, scheduled to begin this weekend.
"We've had a huge breakthrough ... that will lead us to the conclusion of passing a very important bill," Frist said at a news conference with Reid and about a dozen other Republicans and Democrats.
The deal centers on a compromise offered by Republicans that included a temporary worker program backed by President George W. Bush. It also would allow illegal immigrants who have been in the United States more than five years a chance to become citizens if they meet a series of requirements and pay a fine.
Bush, who has been pushing for comprehensive changes, said he was encouraged by the breakthrough and urged quick passage of the legislation that has sparked protests and anger.
"I recognize there are still details to be worked out," Bush said as he prepared to return to Washington after a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina. "I would encourage the members to work hard to get a bill done prior to the upcoming break."
The measure still faced opposition from some Republicans who said the bill would give amnesty to people who broke the law.
"We still have some obstacles," said Senate Judiciary Committee Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican.
REPUBLICAN OPPONENTS
Five Senate Republicans -- Sens. John Cornyn of Texas, Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Jon Kyl of Arizona and Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, both of Georgia -- announced their opposition.
They said, however, that they do not know if they could muster the needed 41 votes in the 100-member Senate to stop the bill with a procedural roadblock.The Senate compromise would also allow illegal immigrants who had been in the United States less than five years but more than two years to apply for a work visa. But they would have to travel to a U.S. port of entry and step outside the country to get it.
Any Senate bill would have to be merged with legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that focuses only on border security and enforcement of immigration laws. That bill would make it a crime, instead of a civil offense, to be in the country illegally and calls for construction of a fence along parts of the U.S. border with Mexico.
That bill angered Hispanics and their supporters and sparked protests around the country. Nationwide demonstrations also were planned for Monday.
Reid said lawmakers where happy to get a deal that will help millions of people who are living and working in the United States, many in low-paying, hard jobs.
"Even though we all feel good about today, it pales in comparison to the millions and millions of people out there who today feel that they have a chance to participate in the American dream," Reid said.--------------------------------------------------
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/06/immigration.ap/index.html
Senate reaches 'breakthrough' on immigration
President Bush praised the lawmakers' efforts, noting the details were unfinished, and encouraged them "to work hard and get the bill done." Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said he had been assured the president supports the emerging measure.
As outlined, it would provide for enhanced border security, regulate the future flow of immigrants into the United States and offer legalized status to the millions of men, women and children in the country unlawfully.
"We've had a huge breakthrough" overnight, said Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tennessee.
Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, agreed, but cautioned that the agreement had not yet been sealed.
Even so, the presence of both leaders at a celebratory news conference underlined the expectation that the Senate could pass the most sweeping immigration bill in two decades, and act before leaving on a long vacation at the end of the week.
The developments marked a turnaround from Wednesday, when it appeared negotiations had faltered. The key sticking point involved the 11 million illegal immigrants in the country, and the struggle to provide them an opportunity to gain legal status without exposing lawmakers to the political charge that they were advocating amnesty for lawbreakers.
While final details were not available, in general, the compromise would require illegal immigrants who have been in the United States between two years and five years to return to their home country briefly, then re-enter as temporary workers. They could then begin a process of seeking citizenship.
Illegal immigrants here longer than five years would not be required to return home; those in the country less than two years would be required to leave without assurances of returning, and take their place in line with others seeking entry papers.
Standing before television cameras after an appearance Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bush said he was pleased that Republicans and Democrats were working together.
"I appreciate their understanding that this needs to be a comprehensive immigration bill," the president said. "I recognize that there are still details that need to be worked out. I would encourage the members to work hard to get the bill done prior to the upcoming break."
Not everyone was satisfied.
"I'm not impressed," said Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, who has criticized earlier versions of the measure as too lenient on lawbreakers. Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Jon Kyl of Arizona joined him in criticizing the measure, as did Georgia Republicans Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson.
Beyond the illegal immigrants, there were other thorny issues to be clarified. Senate leaders had yet to publicly unveil draft legislation to make sure that only legal workers were hired in the future, for example.
Nor was it clear what type of assurances, if any, Democrats had received from the White House and Republicans about compromise talks with the Republican-controlled House later this year. The House has approved legislation limited to border security, and while GOP leaders have signaled support for a broader measure, Democrats have expressed concern in recent days that they will be pressured to make unacceptable additional concessions to achieve a final compromise.
The breakthrough occurred overnight, after Frist had unveiled a revised Republican proposal that he credited to Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Mel Martinez of Florida. Officials said McCain and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, who have long been trying to show the way toward bipartisan agreement on the issue, spoke by phone several times to review potential changes.
"Our plan is tough and fair, and I'm encouraged that the President now supports it," said Kennedy in a statement. "The American people have made their voices heard in their churches, in their schools and in the streets and the Senate has listened," he added, referring to the large rallies in recent weeks by protesters calling for rights for immigrants.
The closed-door negotiations proceeded as the Senate went through the motions on a test vote on an earlier version of immigration legislation.
Democrats needed 60 votes to prevail, and as expected, they fell far short. The attempt gained only 39 votes, while 60 senators were opposed.
In an ironic juxtaposition, the vote unfolded at the same time Frist, Reid and more than a dozen other senators were celebrating the breakthrough at the news conference.
"While it admittedly is not perfect, the choice we have to make is whether it is better than no bill, and the choice is decisive," said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Earlier, Reid told reporters, "We're looking like we may be able to dance this afternoon."
That was a reference to remarks he made on the day he became party leader and said, "I always would rather dance than fight. But I know how to fight."
The issue has generated huge public rallies, exposed divisions within both political parties and already left an imprint on the midterm election campaigns for control of Congress.
Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles provided evidence of the emotion it has generated from 3,000 miles away when he urged Catholics to pray for passage of legislation allowing illegal immigrants to gain citizenship. The debate marks "one of the most critical weeks in the history of our country," he said.
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Erik Voss
erik@ICAtlanta.org
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