Skilled Immigrants Bill OKd

WASHINGTON — The Senate, on a vote of 88 to 4, today passed legislation to vastly expand opportunities for foreign professionals and skilled workers to legally enter the United States. The immigration-overhaul bill went to the House.

Sens. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Alan K. Simpson (R-Wyo.) had led a bipartisan effort to guide the measure through the Senate. The legislation would apply to those who try to obtain legal residency through normal U.S. government channels. Simpson and Kennedy took aim at a legal immigration system in which 90% of those granted visas are admitted because they have close family members living legally in this country. Only 10% of the immigration visas are granted to fill the needs of the labor market.