Senate rejects bipartisan immigration bill

WASHINGTON: The US Senate on Thursday shot down a bipartisan immigration bill aimed at protecting 1.8 million "Dreamers" from deportation and boosting border security, setting up a crunch vote on President Donald Trump's more hardline plan.

The measure received a majority vote of 54 to 45, but it failed to reach the 60-vote threshold to advance legislation in the 100-member chamber.

The defeat of the bipartisan bill, seen by some as the best chance to pass immigration reform, came just hours after the White House issued a veto threat on the legislation.