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.

The blocking of those amendments was designed to protect the integrity of the proposals in the legislation —and possibly a political opportunity for opposition Democrats to win vital reform, despite opposition from conservative Republicans—, but it may have helped sink the reform legislation.

Republican leaders say they still want the proposed reform, despite opposition from their party, and will push for the legislation again when the Senate resumes its session in two weeks. Activists across the country have said they will make opposition to immigrants' issues a major stumbling block for members of Congress facing re-election in 2006.

The new mass movement of pro-immigrant groups, namely among the Hispanic community, have planned nationwide rallies for Monday, 10 April. Demonstrations are expected in at least 60 cities, and an estimated 180,000 may march on the Mall in Washington, DC. For many, this is an issue of consistency; a nation comprised almost entirely of the offspring of immigrants, a vast number of whom did not have the kind of explicit permission now needed to work, cannot simply forbid such privileges to existing, though undocumented residents.

So goes the argument, and that is why the president and the Senate have pushed for a "guest-worker" program and for regularization of undocumented immigrants currently living in the US. But they face stiff opposition from those who would like to eject all illegal immigrants instantly and who believe the borders should be fortified and patrolled by military force.

It seems to be a very real case where politicians of all stripes will be forced to confront the most troubling of all issues, in an election year: that of what is the nation's identity, what are its values, and what treatment of other is consistent with them. [s]

• Washington Post: "Immigration Deal Fails in Senate"

BACKGROUND:
IMMIGRATION REFORM COULD EASE HARDSHIP FOR MILLIONS
MASS DEMONSTRATIONS IN RECENT WEEKS HAVE SHOWN HOW SERIOUS THE ISSUE IS FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS & RESIDENTS
6 April 2006

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. [Full Story]

NEW PROTEST MOVEMENT SHOWS VITAL HISPANIC POPULATION
NATIONWIDE PROTESTS, INCLUDING MARCHES, SCHOOL WALKOUTS, SIT-INS, RALLIES WITH SPEAKERS, REACT TO PUSH TO CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
31 March 2006

The issue of "immigration reform" began sweeping the mindset and the Latin media markets of the United States in December, when the House of Representatives passed a bill that would classify all undocumented immigrants as "aggravated felons", and make it a crime to provide assistance of any kind to them, regardless of personal relationship or imminent need of serious assistance. [Full Story]