Senate OKs immigration bill

WASHINGTON — Legislation to secure U.S. borders and offer millions of illegal immigrants access to the American dream cleared the Senate on Thursday, a rare election-year reach across party lines and a triumph for President Bush.

The 62-36 vote cleared the way for arduous summertime compromise talks with the House and its get-tough measure — with no guarantee of success.

Utah's two Republican senators diverged in their votes. Sen. Bob Bennett voted for the bill, saying "it's not perfect, but it's a necessary step." Sen. Orrin Hatch voted against it, saying "it grants the largest amnesty ever undertaken in any country, at any time."

The Senate bill has little in common with the House bill with which it must be reconciled.

Both bills include money to better secure the borders. However, the Senate bill provides a new guest worker program and gives an eventual shot at citizenship to many of the estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants. The House bill, focused on enforcement, includes no such provisions. It does, however, make it a felony to be in the U.S. illegally.

Hatch is expected to be part of the team that will negotiate the compromise between the two bills. "I'll work to find a way to secure our borders in a way the American people can accept," he said.

Following the Senate vote, Bennett said the bill is a move in the direction of comprehensive immigration reform, because it would strengthen the borders and include "practical solutions" such as a guest-worker program.

"We must enable the border patrol agents to focus on apprehending criminals, drug runners and terrorists, instead of being overwhelmed by those seeking legitimate employment," he said in a statement.

Hatch disagreed. "I can't support this — it creates more problems than it fixes," he said in a statement. "We passed some strong border security provisions, and that's good. But blanket amnesty doesn't work, regardless of how it's disguised."

U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon , R-Utah, who hopes to be part of the negotiation team, was optimistic Thursday that a compromise with the Senate could be reached before an August break.

"I have high hopes we'll be able to solve this problem and get a final bill to the president for his signature in the next couple months," Cannon said. "That will take a concerted effort. I think even the Senate has figured out the American people really want a solution."

Those watching the debate in Utah acknowledged the immigration debate is far from over.

"We have guarded enthusiasm," said Michael Clara, spokesman for the Utah Hispanic Legislative Task Force, which supports the Senate bill. "It's not over by any means."