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Last Updated: Apr 9, 2007 - 12:46:40 AM |
WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- Republican Congressional leaders have called for removing language in an immigration bill that would make illegal immigration a felony.
In a joint statement, House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said they couldn`t support the provision contained in an immigration reform bill passed by the House in December.
However, the statement did not offer an alternative, CNN said.
Critics said making it a felony to assist illegal immigrants to 'reside in or remain' in the United States could be used to prosecute anyone who offers humanitarian aid, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The bill was drafted by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., the House Judiciary Committee chairman, but at the request of the Bush administration, Sensenbrenner offered an amendment that would have reduced the infraction to a misdemeanor.
The amendment failed 257-164. Of those voting against it, 191 were Democrats and 65 were Republicans.
Sensenbrenner`s bill also calls for building 700 miles of security fence along the Mexican border.
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