The question of giving citizenship to the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States has become the major stumbling block for some senators, especially conservative Republicans, who argue that it is an "amnesty" that undermines respect for the law and will encourage more immigrants to cross the border illegally.
The bill currently under debate would boost enforcement, create a guest-worker program with a path to legal status and offer the possibility of citizenship to illegal immigrants who meet certain requirements, including learning English and paying back taxes.
The bill would also limit the opportunity for citizenship to illegal immigrants in the country on or before Jan. 7, 2004, and they would only be processed after legal immigrants who have already applied.
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, did not express optimism that Republicans could overcome their differences quickly enough to meet the Friday deadline.
"We have retrogressed," he said.
Senators said White House officials continued to be deeply involved in discussions. President Bush has urged Congress to pass a guest-worker program, but has said that he would not favor a program that allowed illegal immigrants to gain citizenship before those already in line for legal permanent resident status.
