Washington ? In a striking reach across party lines, the White House and key lawmakers agreed Thursday on a sweeping immigration plan to grant legal status to millions of people in the country unlawfully.

Sealed after months of secretive bargaining, the deal mandates bolstered border security and a high-tech employment verification system to prevent illegal workers from getting jobs.

President Bush said the proposal would “help enforce our borders but equally importantly, it’ll treat people with respect.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said debate would begin Monday, but he cautioned, “I don’t know if the immigration legislation is going to bear fruit and we’re going to be able to pass it.”

The proposal constitutes a far-reaching change in the immigration system that would admit future arrivals seeking to put down roots in the U.S. based on their skills, education levels and job experience, limiting the importance of family ties.

A new class of guest workers would be allowed in temporarily, but only after the new security measures were in place – expected to take 18 months.