Immigration bill passed by US House

The House of Representatives passed a controversial measure Wednesday that may allow illegal immigrants, who came to the US before the age of 16, to gain full citizenship.

The DREAM Act passed by 216-198 after an at times acrimonious debate. The Senate was due to vote Thursday on beginning a debate on a modified version of the bill. It appears that the bill's supporters in the Senate will gather the 60 votes necessary.

The legislation would provide legal residency to undocumented young people who graduate from high school, complete two years of college or military service and have no criminal record.

The measure is seen by President Barack Obama as vital to mending ties with Hispanic activists who have expressed disappointment at the sluggish pace of immigration reform by the Democrats.

In a statement, Obama said, "This vote is not only the right thing to do for a group of talented young people who seek to serve a country they know as their own by continuing their education or serving in the military, but it is the right thing for the United States of America."

Republicans have slammed the bill as a "nightmare act."

"It is nothing more than mass amnesty that will undoubtedly encourage millions more to illegally immigrate into our country," Republican Rep-resentative Dana Rohrabacher told the House.

In his 2008 presidential campaign, Obama pledged to overhaul immigration laws, by both boosting border security and by offering steps to legal status for illegal immigrants.

Reuters