Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Senator Changes Immigration Bill

Sen. Alan K. Simpson (R-Wyo.) backed away from several proposals that would make it harder for companies to bring in foreign workers, part of his controversial bill to restrict legal immigration. Simpson, chairman of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee that handles immigration issues, volunteered to eliminate some of the proposed restrictions that had drawn fire from corporate CEOs. One of the bill’s key provisions cuts permanent legal-immigration slots from 140,000 per year to 90,000. But business groups, particularly high-technology firms, said the proposed limits and fees would deny companies access to desperately needed specialists. The subcommittee approved the heavily amended bill on a 5-2 vote but deferred action on other aspects of the measure dealing with family-reunification regulations. The bill now goes to the Judiciary Committee. No hearings have been scheduled, Simpson said.