[JustPiper]

WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans and Democrats closed in on a last-minute compromise Thursday on legislation opening the way to legal status and eventual citizenship for many of the 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally.

Congress Nears Deal on Illegal Immigrants

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) speaks to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at their Legislative Luncheon in Washington April 5, 2006. Clinton spoke about the on going debate on immigration and the need for health care reform

Reps. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) (from L-R), Bob Beauprez (R-CO) and Virgil Goode (R-VA) stand beside a 'No Amnesty' sign before the start of a news conference to speak out against any guest-worker legislation for immigrants on Capitol Hill in Washington March 30, 2006. The House of Representatives passed tough legislation last December that defined all illegal aliens and anyone who helped them as felons and provided funds for the construction of 700 miles of fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Surrounded by fellow House members, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) speaks out against any guest-worker legislation for immigrants during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington March 30, 2006. The House of Representatives passed tough legislation last December that defined all illegal aliens and anyone who helped them as felons and provided funds for the construction of 700 miles of fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

[JustPiper]

There are an estimated 360-thousand undocumented immigrants living in New Jersey.

Protesters in Costa Mesa, California, hold an US flag in the distress position as they gather to decry pending federal legislation on illegal immigration. Thousands of demonstrators rallied in this conservative California town and in New York protest plans for a US legislative crackdown on illegal immigrants.