Action on young immigrants bill delayed

The so-called Dream Act for young immigrants bill in the US has hit a snag.



The bill, which is backed by President Obama, provides a path to citizenship for thousands of illegal immigrants who came to the US before age 16.



It allows undocumented young people to gain legal status if they enrol in college or join the military.



The bill was passed by the House of Representatives but has been delayed in the Senate, where there is strong Republican opposition.



Caribbean-American Congresswoman Yvette Clarke says the bill provides a solution for immigrant students, whose lives are jeopardised by what she called a broken immigration system in the US.



But critics denounce it as a backdoor amnesty grant.