Senate parliamentarian nixes Democrats' immigration reform plan B

Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has vetoed Democrats' safety strategy to include immigration reform in the massive $3.5 trillion spending bill they plan to pass via budget reconciliation.

Following an initial rejection of Senate Democrats' plan to dole out millions of green cards to illegal immigrants, MacDonough also quashed a proposal that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants by adjusting the date by which the migrants would need to apply to adjust their legal status in the U.S.

According to MacDonough, a change to the registry date is a "weighty policy change and our analysis of this issue is thus largely the same." 

Democratic leaders expressed disappointment, but will continue to fit some form of immigration reform into the bill.

"We'll do to plan C," said New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez. 

As was the case upon her most recent ruling, outside groups in favor of massive immigration reform are calling on elected Democrats to disregard the orders of the parliamentarian. 

"It's up to elected officials, not unelected staff attorneys, to decide the fate and future of millions," said America's Voice Executive Director Frank Sherry. "We call on our Democratic champions to explore every option, from a new plan to legalize millions to way to sidestep the Parliamentarian's advisory opinion."