Republican and Democratic Senate leaders agreed last night on a plan to revive a bill that would give millions of illegal immigrants a chance to earn US citizenship.
The sweeping immigration overhaul, which has triggered rallies by millions of immigrants and their supporters across the country, is expected to be considered by the Senate next week.
Despite the agreement between Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, the outcome of the legislation remains in doubt. It faces opposition from some Republicans who say it gives amnesty to people who broke US laws.
Mr Frist said opponents will be allowed to offer "a considerable number of amendments" to the bill. In return, Democrats won assurance that the bill's backers will have input in eventual negotiations with the US House of Representatives.
The House passed a tough border security bill that would further criminalize illegal presence in the United States and the two bills will have to be merged.
The House bill, which would make illegal presence a felony instead of a civil offense, has drawn huge protests around the country from Hispanic groups and their supporters.
Pro-immigrant groups plan to hold a demonstration in Washington on May 17th to protest the House bill and support broad reform being considered by the Senate. The rally is being organized by some of the same groups involved in the nationwide May 1st demonstrations in support of immigrant rights.
Frist said he wants the Senate to finish work on the bill by the end of the month, when Congress takes a week-long break for the Memorial Day holiday.
The legislation stalled just before Congress' Easter break in April when Democrats, worried that Republican opponents would try to gut the bill, blocked consideration of amendments and sought to limit their number.
Even though some of those amendments now will go forward, backers feel they have the votes to defeat them.