Last Thursday undocumented immigrants throughout America must have breathed a sigh of relief as they harbored high hopes of the U.S. Senate passing a favorable new immigration bill. Senate. The previous night Senate Republicans had arrived at a compromise plan that was believed to have enough bipartisan support to, at last, arrive at an immigration bill shaped by the Senate.

This compromise agreement, which was co-written by Florida Senator Mel Martinez and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, would offer undocumented workers who were in the country for over five years the possibility of lawful employment and citizenship. Such workers would have to provide pay stubs, utility bills or other documents to prove that they had been in the U.S. and working for over five years. Those in this group who planned to become citizens would need to pay back taxes, learn English, have a criminal background check done, pay a fine of $2,000 and remain employed for 11 years.

Those who were in the U.S. for less than five years would have to return to one of 16 designated ports of entry and apply for a new form of temporary work visa for low-skilled and unskilled workers. Those in the country for less than two years would have to return to their home-countries.

Senators on both sides of the Senate were said to be “euphoric” at the compromise. But the euphoria turned to disappointment.

A procedural impasse developed late Thursday that prevented the bill being passed. Both Democrats and Republicans could not decide whether the compromised measure could be amended. While Bill Fist, Senate Majority Leader, and Conservative Republicans who opposed the bill wanted to have revisions, Democrats refused to go along with this, fearing the revisions would deplete the compromise. The result was that the bill was not passed and now the Senate is off on a two-week recess and there is no indication as to when the debate will resume.

Some senators, including Martinez, said they expect to resume work on the compromise measures after Congress returns on April 24. Martinez said both Democrats and republicans are anxious to keep the issue alive on the Senate’s return.

However, there is also the opinion by other supporters of the compromise bill that Congress may not pass a new immigration bill before its session ends in October. Others believe that this may well be since members of both house who are seeking reelection in November would rather a no-decision than making one which could hamper their reelection chances.

For Manny (last name withheld) an undocumented immigrant from St. Kitts, the highs and lows experienced between Thursday and Friday were very cruel. He said he felt very positive when he heard about the compromise on Thursday. “I have been working in Florida for the past seven years, and so I felt that things would now change. Then the next day all my hopes were gone. But all I can do is to continue to hope.”

In the meantime demonstrations are occurring all over the country n support of reforms in favor of undocumented immigrants. One such demonstration, which included hundreds of Caribbean, residents was held in Miami, last Sunday afternoon.