A bipartisan group of US senators has reached agreement today on an immigration reform bill that would legalise millions of illegal immigrants, including Irish people living in the US.
The agreement sets the stage for what is expected to be a passionate Senate debate over immigration and lead the way for what would be one of the most significant accomplishments of US president George W Bush's final term.
Details of the agreement were set to be released at a news conference the group scheduled for 1:30 p.m (1730 GMT). Negotiators, led by Senator Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, and Senator Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican, worked out the final details this morning.
When asked after the meeting whether lawmakers had reached a final agreement, Kennedy replied "yes".
McCain, an Arizona Republican who attended the morning session, confirmed the group reached agreement.
The legislation would create a temporary worker program that would require laborers to return home after a period of time. Tough border security and workplace enforcement measures would go into place before the temporary worker program, congressional aides said.
The proposal would limit family-based migration to immediate family members and establish a merit-based system by which future migrants could earn points for skills, education, understanding of English and family ties.