GOP, Democrats seek immigration deal with time running short By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS WASHINGTON (AP) May 2007 - Republican and Democratic senators huddled Thursday May 17th, trying to close in on an immigration compromise to grant quick legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants while fortifying U.S. borders against new ones. A group of lawmakers that has been haggling over the terms of agreement for weeks were reviewing language negotiated late into the night in efforts to nail down a deal. Among the final sticking points was a stubborn dispute over how much family ties count toward green cards under a new ’point system." The plan prioritizes advanced skills and education levels for future immigrants. Two of the lead negotiators, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., booked time in the Senate's radio-TV gallery for an announcement. But Kennedy said some were hanging back as an agreement inched closer. ’There are just some people who don't want to close on this. There comes a time in every negotiation where people have to close," Kennedy said. ’Today is it." Kennedy said it was likely the last chance for a compromise before senators scattered for a three-day weekend. ’The immigration reform legislation has come to a boiling point," Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said just before going into the meeting. ’We've tried to come to a consensus and I think we are very, very close, but every time we grasp it, it eludes a final resolution." If no deal emerged, Senate Democrats were to vote on the Monday the 21st to bring up an immigration measure that passed last year over the objections of most Republicans, who have said they will block it. That would be a highly partisan start to the immigration debate, which divides the two parties and exposes fissures within their ranks. Even with a bipartisan agreement, the immigration debate could easily devolve into a free-for-all in the unruly Senate. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said he wants to complete a bill before Memorial Day, and President Bush says he wants to sign one by summer's end.

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