Senate Judiciary Committee nearing final big decisions in shaping immigration bill

WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee hopes to nail down an elusive compromise visas for high-tech workers and may let the full Senate handle a controversy over gay marriage as it makes final decisions on immigration legislation giving a shot at citizenship to millions living in the country illegally.

At the same time, President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden are meeting with individuals who would be directly affected by the measure as they demonstrate support for a sweeping overhaul of U.S. immigration law.

The legislation would give an opportunity of U.S. citizenship to millions of immigrants now here illegally, create a new visa program for low-skilled workers and permit a sizeable increase in high-tech visas. It also requires new measures to crack down on future unlawful immigration.