US immigration bill impasse eases

Another pro-immigrant pressure group protest is set for Wednesday

The US Senate has reached a deal that could see the approval of a stalled bill that would grant millions of illegal immigrants the right to stay.

But the deal gives Republicans the right to make amendments that could curtail eventual immigrant benefits.

The bill would also need to be squared with laws passed in the House that call for criminalising illegal immigrants.

Pro-immigrant pressure groups have announced another demonstration in Washington next Wednesday.

'Full session days'

One of the Senate bill's key provisions is the opening of a path to eventual citizenship for about 11 million illegal immigrants.

Many Republicans in the House see the Senate bill as an amnesty to lawbreakers.

President Bush faces a delicate balancing act

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and the Democratic leader, Harry Reid, have now at least agreed on a compromise that will allow the Senate bill to return to the floor next week, with ample room for amendments to be sought.

Senators will be asked to commit "full session days", voting on amendments with a view to passage within one or two weeks.

Sen Reid said: "The assurances I have received from Sen Frist make me hopeful we can finally move forward on real comprehensive reform."

HAVE YOUR SAY I can't blame illegal immigrants for wanting to come here. But neither can I blame myself for wanting them to go home Trevor O'Brien, Binghamton, NY, USA Send us your comments

One of the bill's key supporters, Democrat Sen Ted Kennedy, said he was now confident the bill would be approved by the Senate.

Sens Frist and Reid also agreed the make-up of a committee seeking to unify the Senate and House bills.

The House bill would criminalise illegal immigrants and create a vast fence on the southern US border.

It has sparked huge street protests from immigrant groups and put the issue high on the agenda for November's mid-term elections.

Correspondents say President George W Bush must appease a large section of his Republican party that is opposed to the Senate bill in anything like its current form with sensitivity to the vote of the Latino community - the nation's fastest growing minority.