US Democrats’ bid to reform immigration laws blocked in Senate

Setback for reform advocates comes as the US is facing a new migrant crisis at the southern border with Mexico.

A proposal by Democratic legislators in the United States Congress to allow millions of immigrants to legally stay in the country has been blocked in the US Senate.

The Senate parliamentarian, an unelected official who rules on key procedural matters, said on September 19 that a Democratic plan to attach the immigration proposal to a $3.5 trillion spending bill was not allowed under Senate rules, lawmakers said.

“We are deeply disappointed in this decision but the fight to provide lawful status for immigrants in budget reconciliation continues,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.