Senators introducing immigration bill today

WASHINGTON – Senators are set to unveil a sweeping immigration bill this week to secure the border, remake legal immigration, boost workplace enforcement and put 11 million people here illegally on a path to citizenship.

A group of eight lawmakers, equally divided between Republicans and Democrats, planned to formally introduce the bill today, although a press event with activists, business leaders and religious groups was delayed until later in the week after the tragedy at the Boston marathon.

Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and John McCain, R-Ariz., planned to meet with President Barack Obama today to discuss the legislation with him, according to a person with knowledge of the plan who spoke on condition of anonymity. Immigration legislation is a top second-term priority for the president.

The legislation would be the culmination of months of closed-door meetings among a so-called Gang of Eight senators, including McCain, Schumer and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

Their legislation aims to strike a balance between enforcement provisions sought by Republicans, and Democratic priorities, including making citizenship widely accessible.