US President Barack Obama is urging the House of Representatives to follow the Senate by passing an immigration reform bill.

In a rare show of bi-partisanship, the bill was passed with the support of all 52 Senate Democrats, 14 Republicans and 2 independents.
 
The bill offers legalization to millions of people who came to the US illegally.
 
But first they must pay fines and taxes and undergo background checks.

The Senate bill also expands ways for people to come to the country legally.

The bill will authorize tens of billions of dollars to further militarize the border with Mexico to prevent illegal immigration in the future.
 
However, some migrant activists in Mexico say bolstering border security will have no effect on the flow of migrants to the US.
 
Easing the number of people patrolling the border will mean the deaths of Mexicans, it will mean violations, abuse of power and the people who don't manage to cross will stay within the reach of organised criminals in Mexico."
 
The immigration bill is also likely to face a tough road in the more conservative House.
 
The Republican majority in the House is considering their own immigration bills.
 
So far none of the House bills gives legal status to those undocumented immigrants.
 
President Obama has made immigration a top priority for his second term, asking Congress to deliver a bill for him to sign by autumn.