US: Republicans in Congress are set to dash hopes this week of an early reform of immigration laws which would allow millions of illegal immigrants, including thousands of Irish citizens, to remain in the US and eventually apply for citizenship.
Republican leaders have all but ruled out a deal on immigration reform before November's mid-term elections, focusing instead on national security issues during the remaining days of the current Congress. Republicans are deeply divided over immigration, with conservatives backing a House of Representatives Bill which would crack down on the undocumented and tighten border controls but offers no path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
Moderates support a Senate Bill which would improve border security but would introduce a guest worker programme and allow most of the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants to remain in the US and eventually apply for citizenship. President George Bush has urged the House and the Senate to agree a compromise Bill as soon as possible but Republican representative Peter King said there was no prospect of agreement. "I don't see how you bridge that divide between us and the Senate. I don't see it happening. I really don't," he told the New York Times.
Senator Edward Kennedy, who helped to draft the Senate Bill with Republican John McCain, has called on Mr Bush to exert greater pressure on Republicans to achieve a deal. "The president has to become more engaged, more involved. He has staked out a position basically supportive of the Senate position . . . He can influence the Republican leadership. This issue requires presidential attention and leadership. Without it, we will have a very difficult time," he said.
Congressional hearings on immigration, held throughout the US in recent weeks, appear to have soured an already difficult atmosphere and strengthened opponents of comprehensive immigration reform.
Many Republicans fear that embracing a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, which opponents describe as an amnesty for lawbreakers, could alienate conservatives in advance of November's elections.
Senator Arlen Specter, chairman of the judiciary committee, warned fellow Republicans, however, that they could suffer in November if they fail to tackle an issue many voters see as a priority.
"If there's not legislation with Republicans in charge, there's going to be blame here, and justifiable blame, if we do not produce a Bill," he said.
Hopes of a last-minute compromise rest on a proposal by Republicans Mike Pence and Kay Bailey Hutchison that would require illegal immigrants to leave the US before applying for temporary work visas.
The plan does not include a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants but those who secure temporary work visas could apply for a Green Card in the normal way.
Mr Pence, whose proposal has faced criticism from conservatives, acknowledged that the prospect of an early agreement is slight but echoed Mr Specter's warning to Republicans.
"Congress has spent the last 18 months telling the American people the immigration system is broken. Without significant progress, there may be a price to pay," he said.
For their part, Democrats are confident that they will benefit from the Republicans' failure to reach a deal on immigration, which Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said underscores the governing party's failure in office.
"Every day, people around the country recognise that this is a failed administration. If Republicans want to spend the whole month on nothing that is relevant to the American people, we are happy to do that," he said.