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House leaders will allow wide-ranging amendments on border-security legislation expected on the floor Thursday after conservative Republicans who want stricter immigration controls threatened to sink the bill.

To head off a situation where rank-and-file Republicans would vote against the rule to move to consideration of the bill, leadership is expected to provide for an open rule with a generous number of amendments. That list could include hot-button topics such as ending birthright citizenship for children born in the United States -- amendments that might not pass but are sure to spark intense debate.

Conservatives, led by Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., want the votes on amendments that would place even tighter restrictions on immigration, which House leaders have been hesitant to allow for fear of putting members on the record on politically difficult issues. But if they refused to permit such amendments, the Republicans could join Democrats to defeat the rule, effectively killing the legislation for the year.

"If Democrats vote in lockstep, it is entirely likely there would be enough votes to defeat the rule," said Paul Egan, director of government relations for the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

The bill, written by Homeland Security Chairman Peter King, R-N.Y., and Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., calls for increased security at the borders and tougher enforcement of immigration laws. Some conservatives in Tancredo's 92-member House Immigration Caucus say it does not go far enough.

Tancredo wrote last week to the House Rules Committee seeking a rule for the Sensenbrenner-King bill that would permit debate on a laundry list of amendments that include ending birthright citizenship and making English the official language.

"While not all of these solutions will become law, at this critical juncture, I believe it would be in the best interest of the American people for each proposal to be given an up-or-down vote," Tancredo wrote.

A Tancredo spokesman said Tuesday, "From what we've heard from leadership, many of our big-ticket items may get votes." Those include provisions included in the "CLEAR Act" that would authorize local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law.

A restrictive rule faced other opposition as well. Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., who favors a broader immigration overhaul that includes a guestworker plan not in the House bill, plans to vote against the rule if it does not allow debate on a guestworker amendment, a spokeswoman said.

"All the pieces of the puzzle are not included in this bill, and that's what his amendment would do," she said. GOP leadership aides said today there was no indication that leaders would pull the bill from the floor this week. "I still have every expectation this will get done," one aide said Tuesday.

Depending on the number of amendments and hours set for debate, the final passage vote could spill over to Friday. The Senate does not plan to take up an immigration bill until early next year.

COMMENTS

• Not all of those born in the United States are citizens at birth. By declaring the illegal aliens enemy invaders, the United States could deny their children citizenship without the "never going to happen" amendment to the Constitution. GovExec.com reader Posted December 21, 2005 3:49 PM
• "As for making English the official language, where's the rocket science in that? One would have thought that to be understood to begin with." Well Gunny, it just happens that when the vote for an official language was taken years ago, German came within one vote of winning. There is no official language and if the vote isn't taken soon it probably will be Spanish! There is rocket science involved - at least in the vote that almost led to German. Taxpayer Posted December 16, 2005 6:50 AM
• This is rich! I'm glad to read that Rep. Tancredo wants to clamp down hard regarding tougher immigration controls and isn't afraid to stand up in the presence of potential incoming to take a stand. It's sad that some House leaders don't have the stones to do the same for fear of political backlash from the whiners and the "touchy-feely" crowd. Who said politics is an easy business? Regarding the birthright citizenship issue, it has always been a hot topic; granted, the law bestows citizenship to those "born in and subject to the United States" has been in place for years. It has become a window of opportunity for illegal women to jump the line, give birth to their children in U.S. hospitals, and leave the taxpayers to foot the bill. It's been happening since Moses was a corporal. The time has come to pull the plug on it; either that, or just start sending the bills to Vicente in Mexico City and let him pick up the tab. As for making English the official language, where's the rocket science in that? One would have thought that to be understood to begin with. As a matter of fact, one of the provisions for naturalization is an understanding and ability to read, write, and speak English. I've encountered many a naturalized U.S. citizen who can't do that. That seems like another case of not enforcing the rules as they are written. As for the guest worker debate -- throw it back in the dumpster where they dug it out. It won't work. History has shown it won't, and we don't need another venue for social deviants, criminals, and slugs to scam their way in and take up valuable space. It's time to clean up the mess once and for all! The Gunny GovExec.com reader Posted December 14, 2005 9:10 AM