"I voted against the last immigration 'solution' in 1986. It failed, and this one, in some respects, is worse," Hatch said in a statement. "I was hopeful that with more time, we could find an approach that Utahns and the American people could accept. But it's clear that's not the Senate's intent."

He specifically cited "flaws" with the bill, including the structure of the so-called Z-visa program that would allow undocumented immigrants to continue working in the United States, problems in the electronic verification system and "loopholes" in the guest worker program.

Hatch's GOP colleague, Bennett, on the other hand, supported moving forward. He cautioned that his vote does not mean he will support the measure in its final form.

"This was a vote to say, let's discuss it. This was not a commitment to vote for final passage," Bennett said after a luncheon with GOP colleagues and Vice President Dick Cheney.

"I won't vote for just any bill," he said.

Bennett says he is closely watching an amendment offered by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., that would force undocumented workers to return home to apply for the z-visa. Currently, the bill would only require the so-called "touch back" when an immigrant wants to gain full U.S. citizenship.

"If the Graham amendment doesn't pass, I could very easily vote against it," Bennett said.

tburr@sltrib.com