PELLA — Sen. John McCain on Friday challenged opponents of the Senate’s immigration bill to explain their own plans, saying that Thursday’s failed cloture vote did nothing to solve the problem.

McCain is one of the primary supporters of the bill which provides ways for illegal immigrants to become legal residents of the U.S.

Senators voted Thursday on a move to cut off debate, a cloture vote, but failed to corral the necessary support. The senate’s leadership then pulled the bill off the floor.

The result, McCain said, is that “several hundred people will cross the Arizona border today.”

“This isn’t a case where we can say, ‘Well, it’s over.’ It’s not over. We still have broken borders,” he said.

Most opposition to the bill centered on the perception that it provided amnesty for those who entered the country illegally. Lesser opposition targeted the bill for the provision prohibiting green card recipients from bringing anyone but unmarried children to the country. Current provisions allow up to 15 family members.

McCain said he understands the reluctance of many to act on anything that resembles amnesty. He said the government promised amnesty in 1986 and to strengthen border security. Amnesty happened. Border security did not.

The immigration issue has security implications absent in 1986. McCain said some of those caught plotting an attack on Fort Dix entered the U.S. through the southern border. He said security demands some form of tracking and elimination of the estimated 12 million unknown residents of the country.

“It’s not just our borders,” McCain continued. “I think you know that about 30 percent of the people in our country illegally came to the country legally and overstayed their visas.”

McCain rejected calls for wholesale deportation of illegal immigrants.

“You either have to round up 12 million people, which I’m not sure how you do, or you have to have some kind of [legalization] status,” he said.

The senator also rejected calls for immediate withdrawal from Iraq. He criticized President Bush’s handling of the invasion and the war, but said he trusts Gen. Petreus’ ability to reassert controls and improve the situation.

“You don’t defeat an insurgency by going in, killing the bad guys, and leaving,” McCain said. “You win by beating the bad guys and staying.”

The war has also brought attention to veterans’ needs. Some returning soldiers suffer from mental health concerns caused by their time in Iraq. Others return seriously wounded.

Veterans of previous wars have also criticized veteran care, including the decision to close the VA hospital in Knoxville. Opponents of the closure say it makes little sense when medical care for veterans is in higher demand.