US senators agree on immigration reform

Leading US senators reached an agreement on Thursday on immigration reform that would strengthen US borders and grant lawful status to millions of illegal immigrants, a deal that could lead to a major legislative victory for President George W Bush.

Leading US senators reached an agreement on Thursday on immigration reform that would strengthen US borders and grant lawful status to millions of illegal immigrants, a deal that could lead to a major legislative victory for President George W Bush.

The plan would give some 12 million illegal immigrants legal status, create a temporary worker programme and set up a merit-based system for future newcomers.

“The agreement we’ve just reached is the best possible chance we will have in years to secure our borders, bring millions of people out of the shadows and into the sunshine of America,” said Senator Edward Kennedy, who helped lead the bipartisan talks.

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Immigration is a hot-button issue that has divided the US in a way that has made it difficult to pass reforms.

Many Republicans oppose amnesty and blocked consideration of immigration legislation last year in the US House of Representatives, saying it rewarded those who broke laws.

Republican representatives Lamar Smith of Texas and Peter King of New York condemned the Senate compromise, saying it “treats illegal immigrants better than those who play by the rules and come in the right way”.

The compromise would put illegal immigrants on a path to citizenship after a probationary period, in return for stiffer fines than proposed in last year’s Bill.