Subscribe to one of our news e-mail lists . Democrats want amendments, however, to deal with other immigration questions, mainly involving Hispanics. Republicans say if Democrats succeed, it probably will kill the popular measure for the year.
Negotiations are under way.
President Clinton predicted Saturday that Congress would pass the bill and did not mention linkages to other immigration issues. The House members pushed through three immigration bills Tuesday, including one to stop what some lawmakers called unfair deportation of aliens for past crimes. In 1996, Congress broadened the number of crimes that would trigger deportation and included retroactivity provisions, which led to the deportation of some noncitizen who had steered clear of trouble after earlier minor brushes with the law. The bill will bring sensible relief for those who have paid for past infractions and will give people a chance to remain in the country. The bill, which now goes to the Senate, also would allow aliens deported for minor offenses under the 1996 law to appeal for the right to return.