Senate considers making it harder for illegal immigrants to gain lawful status

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CAPITOL HILL (AP) - A day after reviving immigration legislation, the Senate is now weighing several measures that would make it harder for illegal immigrants to gain lawful status.

Both Republicans and Democrats have been seeking to add restrictions to the bill, which could grant legalization to the estimated 12 million unlawful immigrants.

The proposals range from requiring immigrants to return home temporarily to gain lawful status, to barring them from getting green cards for legal permanent residency, to only allowing those in the US four years or more to be legalized.

Conservatives have called the revived immigration measure too lenient, while some liberals say it could subject guest workers to exploitation from employers.

Votes on key amendments could come later today.