Comprehensive Immigration Plan Coming This Week: McCain

Washington (Reuters) —

Leading Democratic and Republican senators said on Sunday there were encouraging signs in the push to overhaul U.S. immigration laws, a top priority for President Obama’s second term, and they would introduce their plan this week.

With Obama set to begin his push for immigration reform with a speech in Las Vegas on Tuesday, a group of three Democratic and three Republican senators have been working for weeks on a plan.

One of those senators, Republican John McCain of the border state of Arizona, said on ABC News that the group still had hard work ahead but that he was pleased with the progress and that the principles of a comprehensive plan would be put forth this week.

McCain said the plan was much like a 2007 immigration proposal that died during the presidency of George W. Bush. That plan included a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, tighter borders, a guest worker program and requirements for employers to verify workers’ immigration status.

The immigration issue was largely pushed aside during Obama’s first term as economic concerns weighed more heavily, but the president, who had overwhelming backing from Hispanic voters in his 2012 re-election, cited it as part of his agenda when he was sworn in for a second term last week.

McCain said the political aspect of immigration reform should sway any Republicans who object to a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

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