The measure was approved by the House of Representatives but was eliminated from the border security law signed by President George W. Bush in early May.

Aware of the measure's popularity and the growing power of the Hispanic vote, Senate Democrats are trying to reopen debate on 245(i) to get it approved before the end of this legislative election year.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (Dem.-SD) introduced a bill on May 9 that would extend the deadline for illegal aliens to request permanent residency without leaving the country to April 30, 2003.

Daschle, who is seen as a possible presidential contender in 2004, wants to reinstate 245(i) because he feels the lower house's version is inadequate and contains meaningless, already expired dates.

Immigration could become a key issue for November's legislative elections when the entire House of Representatives and one third of the Senate will be up for election, and 30 governorships will also be up for grabs.

Palacios acknowledged that the political climate in Washington after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks last year is not favorable for requests for further immigrant benefits by grassroots organizations.

However, the NPA wants to repeat its success in achieving changes in housing programs for the poor and approval of a community investment law, under which the government invested millions of dollars for development in poor areas of the United States. In addition to the extension of 245(i), the NPA's list of priorities includes access to higher education for illegal aliens and a number of statewide campaigns to help aliens obtain driver licenses. In many states, applicants must provide proof of permanent residence in the United States to obtain such a license.