A U.S. coalition of business, labor unions and religious groups launched a campaign on Thursday to defeat a bill backed by Republicans that would turn some 11 million illegal immigrants into felons. The House bill reflects growing anger, especially among Republicans, about the U.S. government's inability to stem the flow of illegal immigrants from Mexico. Immigration is likely to be one of the top issues facing lawmakers in this Congressional election year.
See "Coalition Vows to Defeat Harsh Immigration Bill", Reuters, The New York Times, January 18, 2006