06/29/07 Senate defeats immigration bill

The US Senate has defeated a plan that would have legalized millions of illegal immigrants. Yesterday's vote was a setback for the President and Senator Larry Craig whose AgJobs provision was part of the bill. Supporters of the legislation needed 60 votes to limit debate and clear the way for passage of the legislation. In the end 46 voted to limit debate, 53 did not. Idaho's Mike Crapo says he opposed the because of the amnesty offered to illegal immigrants. CRAPO "The bill's Z visa measure would grant immediate permanent legal residence status individuals who have illegally entered our country essentially rewarding illegal entry." President Bush is reported by the White House to have been working the phones yesterday prior to the vote trying to convince Senators to back the legislation that would have created a new guest working program and allowed millions to obtain legal status if they returned briefly to their home country. Again, Idaho and other producers across the Northwest are finding it harder and harder to get the necessary labor they need, when they need it. The House didn't even take up immigration reform this year, deciding instead to wait and see what happened in the Senate. Most experts say the politics of a presidential race will dominate the scene and immigration is not likely to be re-visited this year, unless there's a public outcry.