WASHINGTON (AP):

Senate leaders agreed yesterday night to revive stalled immigration legislation, capping a furious week-long rescue attempt that drew President George W. Bush's personal involvement.

"The leaders have agreed on a way forward," said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Sen. Harry Reid, leader of the Senate's Democratic majority, who controls the chamber's agenda.

The measure, sidetracked a week ago, is expected to return to the Senate floor for additional debate as early as next week.

The legislation has generated intense controversy, particularly for provisions envisioning eventual citizenship for many of the estimated 12 million immigrants now in the country unlawfully. The bill also specifies greater border security and a crackdown on the hiring of illegal employees.

The decision to revive the measure does not necessarily portend passage in the Senate. Critics of the measure have denounced it as conferring amnesty on millions of lawbreakers, and it remains unclear how strenuously they will attempt to prevent its approval.