Senators hush-hush as they craft immigration bill

3/9/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — The eight senators working in private to craft an immigration overhaul have been bearing down as a self-imposed deadline nears to release their sweeping legislation.

Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Charles Schumer of New York alternate in hosting their meetings several times a week. Several of the lawmakers say the toughest issue for them is dealing with the question of a new temporary worker program for low-skilled workers.

The legislation also would strengthen the border, crack down on employers and provide an eventual pathway to citizenship for the 11 million illegal immigrants already in the country.

The lawmakers are cautiously optimistic they'll succeed in writing legislation that can get through the House and Senate and become law even though previous attempts have failed.