ERICA WERNER

13 - 12:16am

WASHINGTON — Bipartisan immigration legislation being written in the Senate would require surveillance of 100 percent of the U.S. border with Mexico and apprehension of 90 percent of people trying to cross the border in certain high-risk areas, a person familiar with the proposals said Wednesday.

Senate plan would take tough steps on border 04/10/13 - 3:09pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — A person familiar with proposed bipartisan immigration legislation being written in the Senate says the bill would require greatly expanded surveillance of the U.S. border with Mexico and greatly increased apprehensions of border crossers in high risk areas. People here illegally could begin to get green cards only after a new southern border security plan is in place, employers have adopted mandatory electronic verification of their workers’ legal status and a new electronic exit system is operating at airports and seaports.

Raucous debate on immigration to get under way 04/09/13 - 12:12am

WASHINGTON — Senators writing a comprehensive immigration bill hope to finish their work this week, opening what’s sure to be a raucous public debate over measures to secure the border, allow tens of thousands of foreign workers into the country and grant eventual citizenship to the estimated 11 million people living here illegally. Already negotiators are cautioning of struggles ahead for an issue that’s defied resolution for years. An immigration deal came close on the Senate floor in 2007 but collapsed amid interest-group bickering and an angry public backlash.

Raucous debate on immigration to get under way 04/08/13 - 11:49am

"Gang of Eight' missed deadline

WASHINGTON — Senators writing a comprehensive immigration bill hope to finish their work this week, opening what's sure to be a raucous public debate over measures to secure the border, allow tens of thousands of foreign workers into the country and grant eventual citizenship to the estimated 11 million people living here illegally.

Pfeiffer embraces Senate immigration plan 04/07/13 - 10:14am

WASHINGTON (AP) — An immigration bill being developed in the Senate is completely consistent with President Barack Obama’s approach — even though the Senate plan would tie border security to a path to citizenship in a manner Obama administration officials have criticized, Senior White House adviser Dan Pfeiffer said Sunday.

Sweeping immigration legislation envisions new farm worker program 04/07/13 - 12:11am

WASHINGTON — Sweeping immigration legislation taking shape in the Senate will aim to overhaul the nation’s agriculture worker program to create a steady supply of labor for farmers and growers, who rely more than any other industry on workers who are living in the country illegally.

House group finalizing immigration bill 04/05/13 - 7:08am

Bill offers work permits, eventual prospect of citizenship to millions of people living illegally in US

WASHINGTON — A group of Republicans and Democrats in the House is finalizing a sweeping immigration bill that offers work permits and the eventual prospect of citizenship to millions of people living illegally in the United States, aides say. That path to citizenship, however, is likely to take at least 15 years for many, longer than envisioned by Senate immigration negotiators or by President Barack Obama.

Immigration bill envisions new farm worker program to create steady labor supply 04/03/13 - 7:01am

Labor groups accusing growers of pushing to lower farmworkers' wages

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Rubio claims pivot point on immigration overhaul 04/02/13 - 12:04am

WASHINGTON — Whatever immigration deal might be claimed by labor and business, or by Democrats and Republicans, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is serving notice it has to go through him. The tea party favorite made it clear over the weekend he has a make-or-break role for the most sweeping immigration changes in decades. It’s a high-risk strategy that also puts his presidential ambitions on the line.

Business, labor get deal on worker program 03/31/13 - 12:40am

WASHINGTON — Big business and labor have struck a deal on a new low-skilled worker program, removing the biggest hurdle to completion of sweeping immigration legislation allowing 11 million illegal immigrants eventual U.S. citizenship, labor and Senate officials said Saturday. The agreement was reached in a phone call late Friday night with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, U.S. Chamber of Commerce head Tom Donohue, and Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, who’s been mediating the dispute.