A bill that would have given the children of illegal immigrants a chance to become U.S. citizens by attending college or serving in the U.S. military was blocked in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.

A 52-44 vote on a motion to begin debate on the bill fell eight votes short of the 60 needed to advance controversial legislation in the 100-member Senate. Eight Democrats joined 36 Republicans to block the bill, while 12 Republicans, two independents and 38 Democrats supported it.

The legislation would have allowed children who were 15 years or younger when they were brought into the United States a chance to earn legal status. Only people who had lived in the United States for at least five years, earned a high school diploma and passed a criminal background check would have qualified. They also would have had to attend college or serve in the military for two years to become permanent residents.

"These are kids without a country," said Sen. Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat who sponsored the legislation. "They have nowhere to turn."

Republican opponents of the bill said it should be part of a broader bill that also tightens U.S. border security. An estimated 12 million illegal immigrants live in the United States, and opponents argued the bill would encourage more illegal immigration.

"I do not believe we should reward illegal behavior," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

An effort earlier this year to pass a broad immigration reform backed by President George W. Bush also failed in the U.S. Senate.