The US Senate has passed a crucial vote which brings back a contentious immigration reform bill for further debate.
The bill, which is backed by President George W Bush and a bi-partisan group of senators, could legalise an estimated 12m undocumented immigrants, including tens of thousands of Irish.
Today the vote won by 64 to 35, meaning it will now be debated again on the floor.
President Bush held a briefing early today for pro-reform activists in the White House.
The bill would create a new Z-type visa which would allow those illegally in the US to stay upon payment of a $5,000 fine and background checks.
A proposed amendment to force people to return to their home countries first to apply for the visa has been opposed by some immigrant groups.
The fate of the bill now lies in how disagreement on such amendments is resolved.
