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Blow for Senate immigration bill Senate kills US immigration bill
(about 8 hours later)
A controversial overhaul of US immigration law has suffered a setback after the Senate failed to agree to move to a final vote on the measure. A bill to reform US immigration law has failed, after the Senate failed to vote to make progress on the measure.
It followed a series of amendments to the proposed bill, which appear to have upset a fragile bipartisan compromise. This followed a series of amendments to the proposed bill, which appear to have upset a fragile bipartisan compromise.
Republicans say they want more time to consider the legislation. A new vote will take place later on Thursday. The bill would have tightened border controls, but given 12 million illegal immigrants already in the US a way to legal status and citizenship.
The bill being debated could give legal status to most of an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the US. Illegal immigration, among voters' top concerns, is set to be a key issue in the 2008 presidential election.
Illegal immigration, which opinion polls place among voters' top concerns, is set to be a key issue in the 2008 presidential election.
President George W Bush has made immigration reform one of his priorities and has previously said he wants to see new legislation in place by the end of the year.President George W Bush has made immigration reform one of his priorities and has previously said he wants to see new legislation in place by the end of the year.
However, the legislation has still to be debated by the House of Representatives and needs to be passed by both houses to become law. The vote is a blow to Mr Bush's chances of achieving comprehensive immigration reform before he leaves office.
Official languageOfficial language
Backers of the bipartisan bill were left with few options after the Senate voted 33-63 early on Thursday on a motion to limit debate, well short of the 60 needed to move to a final vote. The bipartisan bill had elements which were hard for both Democrats and Republicans to accept.
Rushing this bill benefits no-one and jeopardises the fragile compromise both sides have worked hard to achieve Mitch McConnellSenate Minority Leader However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid scheduled a new motion to move to a final vote on the proposed bill later on Thursday, stepping back from his earlier threats to withdraw the legislation altogether. After two weeks of debate, the bill finally stalled late on Thursday, when only 45 senators voted in favour of bringing debate to an end and moving the bill to its final passage.
Before the first vote, Senator Reid reminded Republicans that the legislation had the support of their party's leader, saying: "This is the president's bill." I think we're giving up on this bill too soon Mitch McConnellSenate Minority Leader
But Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said more time was needed to work on the legislation. Sixty votes were required for the motion to pass.
"Rushing this bill benefits no-one and jeopardises the fragile compromise both sides have worked hard to achieve," he said. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid removed the bill from the business schedule and proceeded to other matters.
Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy, who helped broker the compromise, said lawmakers would work together to try to find a solution. ""I, even though disappointed, look forward to passing this bill," he said.
The compromise began to unravel during Wednesday's Senate session, under the pressure of a series of amendments. However, Republicans - many of whom believe the bill should be tougher on illegal immigrants - had sought more time for debate.
The Senate defeated an amendment that would have prevented large numbers of illegal immigrants taking advantage of the proposed legalisation programme. "I think we're giving up on this bill too soon," said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Party leaders have promised they will work to try to bring a bill back to the Senate for a new attempt to make progress within the next few weeks.
Earlier, the Senate defeated an amendment that would have prevented large numbers of illegal immigrants taking advantage of the proposed legalisation programme.
But the bill's supporters suffered a blow when senators voted 49 to 48 to end a proposed temporary guest-worker programme after five years.But the bill's supporters suffered a blow when senators voted 49 to 48 to end a proposed temporary guest-worker programme after five years.
An amendment put forward by Republican Sen James Inhofe that would make English the official language of the US was passed by 64 votes to 33.An amendment put forward by Republican Sen James Inhofe that would make English the official language of the US was passed by 64 votes to 33.
Border securityBorder security
Under the proposed new Senate bill, illegal immigrants could seek a renewable "Z visa" after paying a $5,000 (£2,530) fine.Under the proposed new Senate bill, illegal immigrants could seek a renewable "Z visa" after paying a $5,000 (£2,530) fine.
They could ultimately be placed on the path to permanent residency - a process that could take several years.They could ultimately be placed on the path to permanent residency - a process that could take several years.
The bill also sets out a "points system" that emphasises immigrants' education, language and job skills over family connections in awarding green cards. The bill also set out a "points system" that emphasises immigrants' education, language and job skills over family connections in awarding green cards.
But these measures would not come into force until 18,000 new border guards are deployed, the fence with Mexico reinforced and hi-tech surveillance in place.But these measures would not come into force until 18,000 new border guards are deployed, the fence with Mexico reinforced and hi-tech surveillance in place.
Opponents of the bill have said the proposal amounts to an "amnesty" for breaking the law. Some Democrats say the bill would destroy families, because people's employment prospects, rather than links to relatives already in the United States, would be a key criterion in allocating visas.
Other critics have said the plan would limit the right of legal immigrants to be joined by their families.