Senate Targets Illegal Aliens

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Senate approved legislation aimed at fighting illegal immigration. The bill, which passed by a 97-3 margin, would nearly double the size of the 5,185-agent border patrol. The measure also authorizes pilot projects that would let employers easily verify whether a worker was eligible for a job, increases penalties for document fraud and alien smuggling, and limits legal immigrants' access to social services. The Senate bill still must be reconciled with a version of the bill passed by the House in March. The main difference in the two measures is that the House would allow states to bar public schooling for illegal immigrants. President Clinton, who praised the Senate for passing the bill, has said he would veto the bill if it included the education provision. As anti-immigrant feelings rise, immigration could be a big issue in November's presidential election. With more than 70 percent of legal and illegal immigrants residing in just six key electoral states -->