Supporters still committed; immigration bill still stalled

0 Comments | USA TODAY, March, 2007 | by Kathy Kiely

WASHINGTON -- President Bush says he wants an immigration bill this year. So do the top Democratic leaders in the House and Senate. Other supporters range from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the Service Employees International Union.

Seldom has legislation received such high-profile backers from across such a broad ideological spectrum. And seldom has legislation with such powerful backing faced such an uphill battle.

Behind the scenes, both on and off Capitol Hill, efforts have been underway for weeks to build momentum for a sweeping new immigration law designed to eliminate the nation's underground economy by intensifying security along the nation's borders, broadening opportunities for foreigners to work in the USA and legalizing many of the 12 million...