Effort to revive immigration reform

WASHINGTON, July 27 (UPI) -- The senior Republican on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is trying to breath new life into immigration reform.

Sen. Arlen Spector, R-Pa., says he is close to presenting a new legislative reform package designed to win over senators who voted down last spring's compromise measure, The Hill reported Friday.

Spector says his bill omits "Z-visas," a main sticking point in the failed legislation that conservatives viewed as granting blanket amnesty to illegals.

The nation's 12 million illegal immigrants would no longer be considered fugitives of justice, which would be the only change in their status, Spector said.

Spector said he is meeting with groups from both sides of the immigration debate.

"I'm ready to unveil it now," Spector said of his new bill. "I've got letters to the 100 senators on my desk."