Big relief for immigrants?

"We will always need a continuing and growing source of labor willing to start out their careers with these less-desirable jobs, and that's where the big gate comes in . . . and I think the Senate bill moves in that direction," Bennett said.

Last week, as hundreds of high school and junior high students walked out of class to protest the House's get-tough immigration bill, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano both signed a letter addressed to leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee that outlined a Western Governors' Association resolution on illegal immigration endorsed earlier this year.

"We are certainly watching the debate with interest and are anxious for an agreement that will address the concerns of states," said Mike Mower, Huntsman's spokes- man and chief of staff.

Activists on both sides of the immigration debate are planning demonstrations Sunday and Monday to coincide with others nationwide.

One thing the Senate compromise would do is present an optimistic attitude for those rallying for undocumented immigrant rights, said Michael Clara, spokesman for the Utah Hispanic/Latino Legislative Task Force.

"The path to citizenship is heartwarming," Clara said. "To me, in my lifetime, it's akin to the passing of the 13th Amendment that did away with slavery. We're changing the status of people in this country."

On the other side, Alex Segura, director of the Utah Minuteman Project and a candidate for the state House, said if anything, "I think we should have a bigger rally to say we don't think we should be hoodwinked into a quasi-amnesty.

"We still believe we need to take a closer look, not rush this through, and that's what they are doing," Segura said. "This time, if they rush through and attach this amnesty provision, many of them will pay the price at the poll."

In an indication of the complicated political forces at work, officials of both parties disagreed about which side had blinked. But they agreed that a decision to reduce the number of future temporary workers allowed into the country had broken a deadlock that threatened as late as Wednesday night to scuttle efforts to pass a bill. The change would limit temporary work permits to 325,000 a year, down from 400,000 in earlier versions of the bill.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., characterized the developments as a "huge breakthrough." Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said he was optimistic about final passage but cautioned, "We can't declare victory."

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said, "While it admittedly is not perfect, the choice we have to make is whether it is better than no bill, and the choice is decisive."

Conservatives unhappy with the deal voiced their concerns to Frist, while Democrats sought assurances that the agreement would not be undercut in any future compromise talks with the House. McCain told reporters that he and other members of the GOP were circulating a letter pledging to vote against any changes demanded by the House that "would destroy this very delicately crafted compromise."

The House has passed legislation limited to border security, but Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and other leaders have signaled their willingness in recent days to broaden the bill in compromise talks with the House.

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Contributing: Lezlee Whiting

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com