Senate votes to resume debate on immigration bill

The US Senate yesterday voted to revive a stalled immigration overhaul backed by President George W Bush that would offer a path to citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants.

The Senate voted 64-35 to resume debate on the bill, which ties tough border security and workplace enforcement measures to a plan to legalise an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants and a create temporary worker programme sought by business groups.

The legislation would be a significant victory for Mr Bush in his second term in office. It faces strong opposition from many of his fellow Republicans, who call it an amnesty for people who broke US laws and argue it would do little to stem the flow of illegal immigration into the United States.