Top Democrat says he'll advance immigration bill

By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS, Associated Press Julie Hirschfeld Davis, Associated Press
19 mins ago

WASHINGTON – The top Senate Democrat says he'll force a test vote this week on a measure to give tens of thousands of young illegal immigrants a path to legal status.

Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada says he'll move to schedule action on the so-called Dream Act. It would give more than 100,000 young immigrants brought to the United States before the age of 16 a chance to become legal residents if they attend college or join the military.

It's unclear whether Reid could muster the 60 votes necessary to move to an up-or-down vote on the measure. It has some degree of bipartisan support, but is opposed by most Republicans and some Democrats who regard it as little more than an amnesty grant for illegal immigrants.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101130/ap_ ... n_students