Senate passes immigration reform bill

By Ray O'Hanlon

rohanlon@irishecho.com

Reform backers fell two votes short of the "Magnificent 70," but the margin of victory was nevertheless impressive.

The United States Senate voted 68-32 Thursday for S.744, The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.

The bill includes a provision that would allow 10,500 renewable E-3 visas for the Irish with no sunset.

Passage of the bill represented a big win for the bipartisan "Gang of Eight," the members of which crafted the measure, and a particular triumph for the bill's lead Democratic sponsor, Senator Charles Schumer who penned the Irish E-3 provision.

Sign up to The Irish Echo Newsletter

Sign up today to get daily, up-to-date news and views from Irish America.

The reform debate now shifts to the far more uncertain ground that is the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

Donate