Republicans Want Tougher Measures

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JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Republicans worked to toughen a bipartisan immigration bill Wednesday as the Senate continued a freewheeling debate on a bill that would give millions of immigrants quick legal status.

Democrats planned an attempt to slash the number of foreign workers who could come to the U.S. on temporary visas under the measure's new guest worker program.

The Senate began debate on a proposal by Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, to allow visas to be revoked without court review.

"Current law allows aliens to run to the steps of our country's courthouses and take advantage of our system," Grassley said, warning that potential terrorists could stay in the country if his change was not adopted.

Also expected was an effort by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to crack down on illegal border crossers with mandatory prison sentences, as leaders in both parties sought to alter elements of the broad agreement that are drawing criticism from their core supporters.

The measure would toughen border security and create a new workplace verification system to bar undocumented workers from getting jobs.

It would create a point system for future immigration applicants that would place less emphasis on family connections and more on education and skills in demand by U.S. businesses.

Republicans, responding to conservative criticism that the measure is too lenient, were trying to bolster its security provisions and make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to get on a path to citizenship.

Democrats, hearing criticism from labor unions and immigrant groups on the guest worker program, were focusing on shrinking or otherwise altering it.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., was seeking to cap the number of annual visas available for temporary workers at 200,000. A similar amendment passed the Senate last year by an overwhelming margin.

As currently crafted, the temporary worker plan would allow up to 600,000 workers , largely unskilled, nonagricultural laborers in areas such as construction, landscaping and meatpacking , to stay for up to three two-year stints, provided they left the United States for a year between each stay. A Democratic attempt to strip the program altogether failed Tuesday in the first major test of the fragile immigration compromise.

Democrats also are planning attempts to ensure that more visas would be available for family members of permanent residents and U.S. citizens.

The coalition of conservatives, liberals and centrists who worked out the White House-backed deal are struggling to keep it intact.

Senate leaders in both parties, however, say it's important to have a wide-ranging debate on the measure. They have postponed a final vote until June.