White House praises Senate immigration plan

(AP) WASHINGTON - The White House is praising an agreement on immigration reform reached by senators from both parties, calling it an important first step.

Details about the Senate plan are still sketchy, but White House spokesman Jay Carney says it embodies the same principles President Barack Obama believes are necessary.

A bipartisan group of leading senators is announcing their plan Monday for a sweeping overhaul, including a path to citizenship for about 11 million illegal immigrants. The plan also includes border security, a guest worker system and employer verification.

Obama will travel on Tuesday to Nevada to lay out his vision, which is expected to overlap with the Senate effort.