German lawmakers agree on immigration bill years in the maki

German lawmakers today reached agreement on a new immigration bill, ending several years of wrangling in an attempt to modernize the country's laws on immigration. The new law balances interests of adding skilled workers to the country's population against security fears heightened in the wake of the Madrid bombings this spring. The compromise includes greater authority for immigration officials to deport suspected terrorists and Islamic extremists. If passed, the law will allow the first major immigration into Germany since the '70s.

Deutsche Welle offers local coverage of the agreement:
German Parties Reach Immigration Law Agreement