Washington – The two top Republicans in Congress, confronted with internal party divisions as well as large public demonstrations, said Tuesday that they intend to pass immigration legislation that does not subject illegal immigrants to prosecution as felons.
A written statement by House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee did not say whether they would seek legislation subjecting illegal immigrants to misdemeanor prosecution or possibly a civil penalty such as a fine.
“It remains our intent to produce a strong border security bill that will not make unlawful presence in the United States a felony,” the two men said. An estimated 11 million men, women and children are in the United States illegally.
The GOP-controlled House passed legislation that is generally limited to border security measures. It makes illegal immigrants subject to felony prosecution.
Senate efforts to write a broader bill – covering border security, a guest worker program and a path to citizenship for many of those in the country illegally – are gridlocked with lawmakers on a two-week vacation.
Frist has said he intends to bring the issue back to the Senate floor, although he stopped short of a flat commitment, and the prospects for passage of an election-year immigration bill are uncertain.
The question of a penalty has dogged the debate for months and been the subject of intense political maneuvering.
Several House Republicans have denounced Senate proposals as amnesty for lawbreakers.
