It won't make it in the final version as a felony Ben, the reason the democrats voted against the amendment is so they along with you apparently could throw it in everyone's faces about how mean, harsh and stupid those Republicans are in the House.
Btw if it were up to me I'd keep it as a felony, it's the only way we're going to get illegals outta here.
There is no certainty that there will be a final version.
The articles on recent polling data that have been posted here indicate a shift of public opinion from pub to dem. If this is accurate, the dems would be less willing to negotiate. The same thing happened in 04 when the dems saw that Bush's re-election was not certain, they walked away from the table and it was only after Bush was re-elected that Kennedy and McCain restarted their negotiation.
The same situation exists now in congressional elections except that the dems have the "harsh republican house bill" to use as a club to sway and motivate the hispanic voter.