Immigration Debate Begins in U-S Senate

 WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Senate has opened debate on far-reaching legislation to
overhaul the nation’s immigration system and offer the promise of citizenship to
millions.
 
 Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada began what will be weeks of
deliberations on the Senate floor by declaring the immigration system broken and
praising the bipartisan bill. He said it is commonsense reform that would make
the country safer and help immigrants living in the nation illegally get right
with the law.
 
 Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama countered that the bill will not
succeed in ending illegal immigration as its authors claim. Instead Sessions
said the bill offers amnesty without ever enforcing the law.
 
 Friday’s session was given over to debate and the first votes will come Tuesday
on moving forward on the bill.