US: Senate Democrats and Republicans have agreed a compromise on immigration reform that would allow most illegal immigrants to remain in the US and to embark on a path to American citizenship.
Final details of the bill remained to be worked out last night and Democrats warned that the deal could yet unravel, but senate majority leader Bill Frist said the deadlock in negotiations had been broken. "We have a huge breakthrough," he said.
Under the plan, an estimated seven million illegal immigrants who have been in the US for more than five years would be able to stay and earn citizenship.
They would have to pay a $2,000 fine, settle all back taxes, learn English, undergo a criminal background check and stay in work for 11 years before becoming citizens.
An estimated three million undocumented immigrants who have been in the US for less than five years but more than two would have three years to apply for a temporary work visa, which they would have to retrieve at an official point of entry outside the US. After that time, they would be eligible for a green card and could eventually apply for citizenship.
Those in the US for less than two years, about one to two million, would have to return home and go through normal channels if they want to return to the US.
Democratic leader Harry Reid joined Mr Frist and other key negotiators at a news conference to celebrate the compromise.
"We're almost there. It's the last few inches that count . . . but hopefully in the next 24 hours there will be occasion for real celebration," he said.
President George Bush, who has called for a comprehensive immigration reform bill, immediately welcomed yesterday's agreement. "I'm pleased that Republicans and Democrats in the United States senate are working together to get a comprehensive immigration bill," he said. "I recognise there are still details to be worked out. I would encourage the members to work hard to get the bill done prior to the upcoming break."
Some conservative Republicans are unhappy with the deal, which they view as an amnesty for illegal immigrants, and they are expected to propose amendments to make the bill tougher.
Democrats warned that they would not support the bill if amendments that would fundamentally alter its impact are approved by the Republican-dominated senate.
If the senate approves the bill today, the two houses of congress must negotiate a compromise between the senate bill and a measure approved by the house of representatives that would deport all illegal immigrants and criminalise all those who assist illegals.
The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, which has the support of thousands of Irish illegal immigrants in the US, yesterday welcomed the senate deal but warned that obstacles remained in its path.
"We remain concerned that the provisions to legalise the undocumented contained in the agreement remain intact following the senate-house conference. We will be watching that issue closely and will remain fully involved in the search for equitable immigration reform," the group said in a statement.
If the bill becomes law, it will represent the most sweeping immigration reform America has seen for two decades. The issue has deeply divided Republicans and has brought hundreds of thousands of demonstrators on to the streets in support of immigrants.
A planned day of action in 63 cities next Monday is expected to attract millions of protesters against the house of representatives proposal to deport illegal immigrants and to penalise those who help them.