Immigration reform, one of President Barack Obama's central campaign promises, passed out of the U.S. Senate today on a 68-32 vote, the Associated Press reports.
The roughly 1,200-page bill marks the first comprehensive immigration reform effort since 1986, and would create a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants living in the U.S. without legal visas. It also calls for beefed up security on the U.S.-Mexico border.
The bill next heads to the House floor, where it faces tougher odds of passing.
House Speaker John Boehner is quoted in national media outlets as saying his chamber won't pass the Senate bill, and House Republicans will instead offer up their own version.
Monterey County activists organized around the issue, forming The Central Coast Coalition for a Pathway to Citizenship. They have been calling legislators considered to be on the fence, urging them to support reform.
Some local immigrants traveled to Washington, DC to lobby lawmakers. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, is considered to be safely in the pro-reform camp.
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