In recent weeks, the United States has seen the streets of major cities flooded with protesters, demanding more humane immigration reform than that offered by the House of Representatives. The bill currently before the Senate could offer such a solution, and would provide an opportunity for millions more people to become US citizens.

Some conservatives are actively pushing for final construction of a solid border barrier separating the United States from Mexico, and several states are dealing with the problem of so-called "Minutemen", vigilante militia patrolling the borders in an armed effort to stop illegal immigrants from crossing into the United States.

Demonstrations across the US appear to have softened opposition in Washington to major immigration reform, moving many to the pro-immigrant camp, but some politicians appear to remain convinced that supporting the measure would prove detrimental to their own hopes for re-election in districts with low minority and immigrant representation. [s]

• St. Petersburg Times: "Immigration reform would grant citizenship to millions"

UPDATES/ACTUALIDAD:
THE WALL GOES UP AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
WHILE CLAIMING NOT TO MILITARIZE, BUSH PLANS SEVERAL HUNDRED MILE FENCE, BUILT BY DEFENSE CONTRACTORS
18 May 2006

On Monday, George W. Bush announced a "five-point plan" for curbing illegal immigration and recognizing and regularizing the estimated 12 million immigrants living in the United States without proper residence or work permits. Now, as the Senate has voted to 83-16 to include a 370 mile protection barrier in its immigration reform legislation, the White House is enlisting major defense contractors to build the fence. [Full Story]

BUSH PRESENTA CINCO PUNTOS A FAVOR DE LA REFORMA MIGRATORIA
BUSCA DE CAMINO CENTRISTA NO CALMA RENCOR ENTRE REFORMISTAS Y ULTRA-CONSERVADORES
16 mayo 2006

Anoche, George W. Bush presentó desde su despacho en la Casa Blanca, un plan de cinco puntos claves para una "reforma comprensiva" de la política migratoria de Estados Unidos. El plan incluye despachar 6 mil soldados de la Guardia Nacional a la frontera con México y un carnet biométrico para los inmigrantes, pero también moderó su retórica, recordando que "todo ser humano tiene valor y dignidad, a pesar del estatus de sus papeles de ciudadanía." [Texto completo]

IMMIGRATION REFORM LEGISLATION FAILS IN SENATE
OBSERVERS SPECULATE CONGRESS UNWILLING TO TAKE RISK ON CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION DURING ELECTION YEAR
8 April 2006

Though many sources had predicted passage of substantial new immigration law reform in the Senate, the bill failed to gain passage, after a series of complex parliamentary maneuvers stalled a bipartisan compromise. Republicans opposed to the legislation had attempted to attach amendments designed to limit the number of people who would be eligible for citizenship and to narrow the focus of benefits under the law, prompting Democrats to use parliamentary procedural measures to block those amendments. [Full Story]