Do or die scenario for Immigration Bill. After the first failure, President Bush made an effort to bring the bill back to the floor. Republican senators believe that the bill gives amnesty to 12-20 million illegals in the country and does not do enough to secure the borders. The coming week could be the end or beginning of new reforms in much flawed Immigration system in the United States. Senate needs 60 votes to pass the bill.
**Senate returning to Immigration Bill
By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON -** Senators pushing a new immigration policy appealed Sunday to wavering supporters ahead of renewed debate on securing the borders and dealing with 12 million undocumented immigrants.
A fragile compromise was pulled from the Senate in early June, then resurrected after bipartisan negotiations with the White House. The bill awaits a crucial test vote this week. With several senators distancing themselves from the proposal, the outcome was too close to call.
“We’ll see if between the two parties we have 60 votes” needed to keep the bill moving toward a final vote, said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.
The measure would tighten borders, require workplace verification and create a guest worker program. It also would lay out a way by which the estimated 12 million people illegally in the U.S. could gain legal status and work toward citizenship.
President Bush long has advocated an immigration overhaul. On Saturday, he urged lawmakers to “summon the courage” to support what could be the last major legislative achievement of his presidency. “The status quo is unacceptable,” he said in his weekly radio address.
But he faces dissension from fellow Republicans who demand better border security and oppose any policy that suggests amnesty for undocumented immigrants.