The Senate rejected legislation based on President Trump’s framework for an immigration deal in a 39-60 vote on Thursday, leaving an uncertain path forward for Congress with nearly a million immigrants sheltered by an Obama-era program facing the prospect of deportation.
The measure spearheaded by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) needed 60 votes to clear a filibuster, but failed to meet the mark.
It was the fourth proposal in a row rejected by the Senate on Thursday afternoon, and it received the fewest votes of support. All three other measures won more than 50 votes.
It’s unclear where we go from here. Senator John Cornyn has said he doubts the body will spend more time on the issue. The “deferred action” program for illegal immigrants who arrived as children expires March 5, barring an extension, though the end of the program is also held up in court. While beneficiaries won’t be summarily rounded up for deportation if the program ends, they won’t be protected from it, either.