Senators Wrap Up Work On Immigration Bill

Four Democratic and four Republican senators have reached agreement on all the major elements of sweeping legislation to remake the nation's immigration laws, and expect to unveil the bill next week.

Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois says the bill probably will be rolled out on Tuesday.

After months of arduous closed-door negotiations, senators have no further issues to resolve in person, and no more meetings are planned.

Remaining details have been left to staffers, who are at work completing drafts of the bill.

The landmark legislation would overhaul legal immigration programs, crack down on employers, boost border security, and put 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally on a path to citizenship.

Next will come the uncertain public phase as voters and other lawmakers get a look at the measure.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)