Immigration reform bill founders in Senate

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. senators failed on Friday to agree on a plan that would give millions of illegal immigrants a chance for citizenship, leaving the fate of a radical overhaul of immigration policy in doubt.

Democrat and Republican leaders had agreed to a compromise on Thursday and predicted wide approval for the bill over the opposition of some Republicans who called it an amnesty for illegal immigrants.

But the measure was shelved ahead of a two-week congressional break amid partisan bickering over amendments, possibly dooming efforts to pass comprehensive reform before the November mid-term elections.

"I'm concerned about the lost opportunity, but absolutely determined to keep right on fighting," said Sen. Edward Kennedy, a Democrat who helped shape the compromise bill.

The bill would have created a temporary worker program, as proposed by President George W. Bush, and opened the way for over 7 million illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens in the biggest reform of immigration in two decades.

But a test vote on the measure and another on a rival bill dealing with border security both failed to gain sufficient support, showing how difficult it will be to enact any immigration bill in a bitter congressional election year.

Backers of the compromise fell 22 votes short of the 60 needed in the 100-member Senate to overcome procedural hurdles and move the bill forward. In the second test vote, a border security and enforcement measure sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist also fell far short.

WHITE HOUSE BLAMES DEMOCRATS

The White House blamed Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid for blocking amendments and causing the impasse.

"We call on the Senate minority leader to stop blocking this process from moving forward so that we can get comprehensive immigration reform passed," said spokesman Scott McClellan.

Reid said he was trying to protect the bipartisan bill from Republican opponents who "hoped to kill it by amendment."

Any Senate bill would have to be merged with a much more stringent House of Representatives bill that stresses border security and defines all of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country as felons.

Frist, who had embraced the bipartisan compromise, said it was not doomed. He pledged to try to revive it after lawmakers return from a two-week break that starts this weekend.

"It's too big of a problem," said Frist. "Our borders and interior enforcement absolutely require that we address it. ... So we will come back and address it."

The congressional debate has provoked large protests by Hispanics in many U.S. cities against the House bill. More demonstrations are planned in 10 cities on Monday.

The compromise bill would divide illegal immigrants into three groups. The more than 7 million who have lived in the country for five years or more would get a chance to earn U.S. citizenship by paying a fine, paying taxes, learning English and meeting some other requirements.

About 3 million who had been in the United States less than five but more than two years could apply for work visas, but would have to travel to U.S. port of entry to pick them up.

Those in the country for less than two years, roughly 1.5 million, would have to leave and apply to return.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Ferraro, Richard Cowan)