Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Senate Brokers Immigration Bill

Bipartisan compromise tackles citizenship, border security, but faces uphill battle on Capitol Hill

By J. Kelman,  Newser User

Posted May 17, 2007 5:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – Illegal immigrants are offered a path to citizenship for the first time under a new Senate immigration reform package unveiled today. A precarious compromise hammered out by Bush administration officials and top senators, the bill trades hard-line border control measures for controversial provisions like a guest-worker program and a system for earning citizenship.

Two months of negotiation—which brought together such unlikely bedfellows as Michael Chertoff and Ted Kennedy—have gone into the bill, which heads to debate next week. But senators from both parties are already rushing to attack it. Immigration is quickly becoming "the third rail" of politics, said Republican Arlen Spector, who helped broker the compromise.

President Bush, center, accompanied by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, left, and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, right, gestures on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, May 17, 2007, while making a statement on immigration reform.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Bush, center, accompanied by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, left, and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, right, gestures on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...   (Associated Press)
Mexicans line up outside de U.S. Consulate  in Monterrey, Mexico, as they wait for a working visa interview, Thursday, May 17, 2007. Key senators in both the Democrat and the Republican parties, together with the White House, announced an agreement Thursday on an immigration overhaul that would grant quick...
Mexicans line up outside de U.S. Consulate in Monterrey, Mexico, as they wait for a working visa interview, Thursday, May 17, 2007. Key senators in both the Democrat and the Republican parties, together...   (Associated Press)
Senator  Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., seated, and others, takes part in a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 17, 2007, to discuss immigration reform legislation. Standing, from left are, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.   (AP...
Senator Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., seated, and others, takes part in a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 17, 2007, to discuss immigration reform legislation. Standing, from left...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Immigration Bill Brings Out 'Best,' 'Worst' of America

McCain Switches Gears on Immigration

Americans Walk Soft Line on Immigration

Guest Worker Program Slashed

Immigration Reform Back On Bush Agenda


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne