
In a major blow to President Trump, the US Senate today voted against the president's immigration plan with several Republicans joining the opposition Democrats in opposing the bill.
President Trump's own party leaders voted against the bill with as many as 14 Republicans joining hands with Democrats as the proposal fell 39 to 60.
"This vote is proof that President Trump’s plan will never become law. If he would stop torpedoing bipartisan efforts, a good bill would pass,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said.
The rejection of the immigration plan also meant the House did not have a way to shield the "Dreamers" programme which expires on March 5th.
Federal judges have blocked the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme from taking effect with two US judges holding back President Trump's plan.
"It looks like demagogues on the left and the right win again on immigration," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said.
Senator Mike Rounds, a leading Republican sponsor of the failed bipartisan proposal, said: "We’ll have a chance to regroup, and take a look at what we can do to take a bipartisan approach, modify some of those things where there are questions."