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US immigration reform set for first votes in Senate Obama: Congress can finish immigration reform by autumn
(about 20 hours later)
The US Senate is set to hold the first votes on immigration reform, starting a multi-week fight to finalise the bill. US President Barack Obama has called on Congress to pass immigration reform by the end of summer, as the legislation cleared a major procedural hurdle.
The two procedural votes on Tuesday are expected to pass as some senators who oppose the bill or certain elements of it say debate should move forward. If lawmakers were "serious" about fixing immigration, "this is the vehicle to do it," Mr Obama said.
At the core of the legislation is a 13-year path to citizenship for immigrants who came to the US illegally. At the legislation's core is a 13-year path to citizenship for immigrants who came to the US illegally.
The bill enjoys bipartisan support, but one of its authors says the legislation needs stricter border control measures. Hispanic voters' growing political clout has encouraged many in Congress to take up immigration reform.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio says he supports an amendment by fellow Republican Senator John Cornyn requiring additional border security before any immigrant can obtain permanent residence, commonly known as a green card. "There's no reason Congress can't get this done by the end of the summer," said Mr Obama, who won an overwhelming majority of the Hispanic vote in November's election but who before Tuesday had largely stayed out of the public negotiations over the bill.
But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, has said Sen Cornyn's amendment is a "poison pill". "There's no good reason to play procedural games or engage in obstruction just to block the best chance we've had in years to address this problem in a way that's fair to middle class families, business owners and legal immigrants."
'Thoughtful solution''Thoughtful solution'
The bill currently includes $6bn (£3.8bn) to strengthen border security, and requires employers to check each employee's legal status. On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate voted to begin debate on the immigration overhaul bill by a large majority, 82-15.
Aside from the path to citizenship, which would begin with a provisional status for an estimated 11 million people, the legislation also creates new or expanded visa programmes for both high-skilled and agricultural workers. Senators will now consider a series of amendments with an aim to take a final vote before the 4 July recess.
The legislation gained another Republican supporter on Sunday when New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte told CBS News it was a "thoughtful bipartisan solution to a tough problem". Aside from the path to citizenship, which would begin with a provisional status open to the estimated 11 million people living in the country illegally, the legislation also creates new or expanded visa programmes for high-skilled and agricultural workers.
But some Republicans argue the bill would reward those who broke the law by entering the US illegally. During floor debate on Monday, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley said the legislation "repeats our past mistakes". The bill enjoys bipartisan support, gaining another Republican backer on Sunday when New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte told CBS News it was a "thoughtful bipartisan solution to a tough problem".
Correspondents say many Republicans acknowledge the need to embrace reform, given that Hispanics - an increasingly key voter bloc and a significant percentage of immigrants - overwhelmingly chose Barack Obama in last November's presidential election. But several Republican senators have called for significant changes, including stricter border control measures beyond what is in the current bill.
Following Tuesday's procedural votes, the Senate will begin to consider a series of amendments to the almost 900-page bill. "In days ahead there will be major changes in this bill if it is to become law," said Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate.
Sen Cornyn's border security bill will be among those debated, as well as measures on issues including back taxes and healthcare coverage. The legislation includes $6bn (£3.8bn) in border control funds and aims for a goal of 100% surveillance of the US-Mexico border, with 90% of illegal crossers turned back.
In the existing bill, only after 10 years and once applicants receive a green card would they be able to qualify for tax breaks while buying medical insurance under President Obama healthcare reform law. Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas has proposed an amendment that would require those goals to be met as well as the establishment of additional border security measures, including a biometric exit system, before any immigrant with provisional status can become a permanent resident.
But Harry Reid, the leader of the Senate's Democratic majority, has said Mr Cornyn's amendment is a "poison pill" intended to kill the bill.
And one of the bill's authors, Republican Marco Rubio, suggested the bill should tighten English language proficiency requirements for immigrants.
Correspondents say many Republicans acknowledge the need to overhaul the immigration system given that Hispanics - an increasingly key voter bloc and a significant percentage of US immigrants - overwhelmingly chose Mr Obama, a Democrat, in November's presidential election.
Halting child deportations
Supporters hope the Senate bill will pass with significant bipartisan support in order to move the Republican-led House of Representatives to action.
House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican, said he expected immigration reform to be law by the end of the year, but said the border security measures in the Senate bill were insufficient.
"I believe that it's important for the House to work its will on this issue," Mr Boehner told ABC News.
Last week, House Republicans passed a measure to resume deportations of immigrant children brought to the US illegally by their parents.
Mr Obama created a programme last year to suspend such deportations, and the measure is not expected to be taken up by the Senate.
Representative Chris Van Hollen, a leading House Democrat, has told broadcaster CNBC he believed Mr Boehner wanted to pass immigration reform but was unsure what was feasible in the Republican-controlled House, where conservatives dominate.
"The question is whether or not his caucus is willing to support that effort," Mr Van Hollen said.