Immigrant advocates say the federal government has failed to meet its own standards for detaining immigrants, making it unduly difficult for immigrants to defend themselves in court and fight to remain in the country.

Launching a fresh effort toward a sweeping U.S. immigration overhaul, President Barack Obama said Thursday that a bipartisan bill will be difficult but must get underway this year.

The FBI is clearing a backlog stretching a year or more for identity checks on people seeking to work and live in the U.S., or become citizens, immigration officials said Monday.

Federal agents violated the constitutional rights of four illegal immigrants in raids two years ago in New Haven, Conn.,  a federal judge has ruled.