US: Irish lobbyists for immigration reform in the United States have expressed optimism about the prospects for new legislation after Senate leaders postponed a vote on the issue until next Monday.
Negotiators representing Democrats, Republicans and the White House failed to agree on a new immigration plan in time for a deadline yesterday, but Senate majority leader Harry Reid agreed to postpone the vote because all sides were moving closer to a deal.
Thirty members of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform were in Washington this week, meeting advisers to the leading players in both parties.
The group's vice-chairman, Ciarán Staunton, said he believed the remaining disagreements were unlikely to derail an agreement.
"We don't see any of them as crucial," he told The Irish Times.
All sides now agree that an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the US should be given a chance to legalise their status and eventually apply for citizenship - but not until new border and workplace enforcement measures are in place, a process that could take 18 months.
Immigrants who have committed felony crimes would not be eligible for the new "Z" visa for immigrants. All participants would have to pass security checks, pay a fine and processing fee, and pass an English proficiency test. Holders of "Z" visas could apply for legal permanent resident status, a step toward citizenship.
At some point, the heads of households with "Z" visas would have to return to their home country and then re-enter the US.
They would have to take their "Z" visas, photographs and fingerprints to the US embassy or consulate, and would then be guaranteed re-entry.
Remaining disagreements focus on rules governing future immigration and a White House proposal for a temporary work visa programme with limited family reunion rights.
