Immigration reform debate marred by angry clashes in US Senate [View all]

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Source: The Guardian

Angry scenes marred the first serious debate on immigration reform on Thursday as Senate Republicans and Democrats clashed over proposals to grant legal status to the 11 million undocumented migrants in the US.

Despite initial bipartisan support for the legislation, a number of Republicans attempted to delay implementation of an amnesty-like provision until authorities could prove they had fully secured the southern border with Mexico against further illegal entry.

Though defeated by Democrats, who form a majority on the Senate judiciary committee, the Republicans warned the issue would become a sticking point in the House of Representatives. "If we don't have real border security, in my view this bill will not pass," said Ted Cruz of Texas.

But this prompted an angry response from the bill's sponsors who accused opponents of using border security as an excuse to block any immigration reform.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/09/immigration-debate-clashes-senate