A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is proposing tougher border security measures — including doubling the current 21,000-agent border patrol — as part of a deal to get more Republican support for an immigration reform bill.

Sources revealed to CNN some of the details of negotiated changes to the sweeping bill being debated in the Senate. Along with the increased border patrol agents, it would call for 700 miles of fencing along the frontier with Mexico.

However, a Senate aide familiar with the talks cautioned there could be a last-minute change before the agreement is announced, which was expected Thursday afternoon.

A key Republican, conservative Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, told Fox News the planned amendment would provide “a dramatic improvement in border security,” which he hoped would enhance the bill’s chances of becoming law.

via Senate immigration deal includes tougher border security – CNN.com.