IMMIGRANT GROUPS PLAN TO HOLD A DEMONSTRATION IN WASHINGTON ON MAY 17 TO PROTEST THE HOUSE BILL AND SUPPORT BROAD REFORM BEING CONSIDERED BY THE SENATE. THE RALLY IS BEING ORGANIZED BY SOME OF THE SAME GROUPS INVOLVED IN THE NATIONWIDE MAY 1 DEMONSTRATIONS IN SUPPORT OF IMMIGRANT RIGHTS. FRIST SAID HE WANTS THE SENATE TO FINISH WORK ON THE BILL BY THE END OF THE MONTH, WHEN CONGRESS TAKES A WEEKLONG BREAK FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY. THE LEGISLATION STALLED JUST BEFORE CONGRESS' EASTER BREAK IN APRIL WHEN DEMOCRATS, WORRIED THAT REPUBLICAN OPPONENTS WOULD TRY TO GUT THE BILL, BLOCKED CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS AND SOUGHT TO LIMIT THEIR NUMBER. EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THOSE AMENDMENTS NOW WILL GO FORWARD, BACKERS FEEL THEY HAVE THE VOTES TO DEFEAT THEM. SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY, A MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRAT WHO HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR THE BIPARTISAN IMMIGRATION OVERHAUL, SAID HE WAS OPTIMISTIC THE SENATE WOULD PASS THE BILL, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES A GUEST WORKER PROGRAM BACKED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH. "TODAY'S AGREEMENT IS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN OUR FIGHT FOR TOUGH BUT FAIR IMMIGRATION REFORM," KENNEDY SAID. THE SENATE BILL INCLUDES BORDER SECURITY AND ENFORCEMENT MEASURES, BUT ALSO ADDRESSES THE ESTIMATED 11 MILLION TO 12 MILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES. MILLIONS WOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO EARN CITIZENSHIP.
