The U.S. Senate today failed to vote on compromise legislation that would overhaul the nation’s immigration policy.

Here in the Chicago area, the standstill has frustrated advocates for immigrant rights.

All week, U.S. senators have argued over the details of a guest worker program. They’ve also wrangled over how to deal with the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants already in the U.S.

A compromise on the legislation collapsed overnight.

That has Chicago advocates for immigrant rights wringing their hands.

Billy Lawless is with Celts For Immigration Reform, a Irish-American immigrant group.

“How we could have come about after so many weeks of such impassionate debate, and to get a bi-partisan agreement, for it all to fall usunder in 12 hours. It’s unbelievable.”

Lawless says he still has hope for an agreement. But he may have to wait.

Legislators start a two-week vacation tomorrow.

Meantime, advocates have planned protests in several states during the holiday.