Immigration Bill Vote Gives Hope To Millions

Immigration reform is a priority for Barack Obama

The Senate votes through a bill that would see the biggest change in immigration laws for decades and US citizenship for millions.

A bill that would offer the hope of American citizenships to around 11.5 million immigrants has been passed by the US Senate.

If it comes into force, it would bring about the most sweeping changes to US immigration law in decades, effectively providing an amnesty to millions living illegally in the country.

The bipartisan Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act passed in a 68-32 vote, eight more than needed to send the measure to the House of Representatives.

The bill, a priority for Barack Obama, will face a tough time in the Republican-dominated House. The Republicans have indicated that significant changes to the legislation are necessary.

If it becomes law, it will give people living illegally in the US a year to prove they were in country as of December 31, 2011, pay a $1,000 fine and begin the 10-year process of becoming a citizen.Obama speaks on immigration reform earlier this month

Those who can prove they entered the country when they were under the age of 16, the so-called "Dreamers", will enjoy a faster path to a green card.

Conservative Republicans have argued that comprehensive border security with Mexico must come before any illegal immigrants are put on a pathway to citizenship.

In a compromise measure in the bill crafted by two Senate Republicans, it now includes five "triggers" that would ensure that.

These include the completion of the 700 miles of secure fencing and the addition of 20,000 border guards.

Spectators in galleries that overlook the Senate floor watched expectantly as senators voted one by one from their desks.

Some erupted in chants of "Yes, we can" after Vice President Joe Biden announced the vote result.Campaigners gather ahead of the Senate vote

Speaking in the last hours of debate before the vote, Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat who said his mother emigrated to the United States from Cuba, urged: "Do the right thing for America and for your party. Find common ground. Lean away from the extremes. Opt for reason and govern with us."

The development marked an end to years of gridlock on immigration.

The shift began after the 2012 presidential election, when numerous Republican leaders concluded the party must show a more welcoming face to Hispanic voters who had given Obama more than 70% of their support.

John Boehner, the Republican speaker of the House, said: “People have to have confidence that the border is secure before anything else is really going to work. Otherwise, we repeat the mistakes of 1986," he said, referring to the last time Congress overhauled the immigration system.