It was last year when undocumented Filipino houseman and driver Noah Cancio of Westport, Connecticut considered going back to his family in Cebu, Philippines out of deep frustration of his shadowy status for the past five years.

On Monday evening, Cancio, 43, was singing a different tune – and even talked about what he would wear at his swearing in for U.S. citizenship. His change in attitude came after learning that the Senate Judiciary Committee approved sweeping legislation that would allow the 12 million undocumented immigrants to earn their way to legal status and eventual citizenship without having to leave the United States.

“I was alone jumping for joy when I heard the news on T.V.,” Cancio said in an interview with the Filipino Reporter. “I called my wife and children and told them the good news. I hope I can go home to my family this Christmas. I haven’t seen them in a long time and I terribly miss them.”

“My daughter, who is my eldest, is graduating from nursing school next year and my son is also studying nursing,” he said proudly. “I have six children and they are the reason why I’m holding on. I’m the only one they can depend on. If it’s possible, I will petition for my family and I want them to live the American Dream,” he added.

Cancio, who was a marketing manager for a noodle factory before entering the United States in 2000 on a tourist visa, said he was praying every night to the Virgin Mary and the Holy Trinity to end his misery and those of other illegal aliens.

“It’s like my prayers were answered,” he said. “Oh my God, it’s like I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. God gave me hope and I will continue holding on.”

Cancio said he is planning to join a solidarity march for the legalization of all undocumented immigrants this weekend to be spearheaded by the International Immigrants Foundation.

On April 1, at 11 a.m., demonstrators traveled from Tillary and Adams Street in Brooklyn across the Brooklyn Bridge and ended in a rally at 26 Federal Plaza.

He said he was overwhelmed by the massive marches across the country, mostly by Hispanic immigrants.

“I think it’s about time that Filipinos also come out in full force,” Cancio said. “This is the perfect time [for undocumented immigrants] to come out and fight for our future. We cannot just sit in one corner and wait for others do the fighting for us.”

“Although the latest developments in the U.S. Senate give some hope to the more than 12 million undocumented immigrants in America, we still have to see the final version of the bill to fully understand its benefits and implications,” said Edward Juarez, president and founder of the 33 year-old International Immigrants Foundation.

The Senate Judiciary Committee rejected provisions in the House-passed bill that would criminalize U.S. citizens who aid illegal immigrants. Instead, the committee adopted an amendment to prevent smuggling, but allows humanitarian assistance, such as helping undocumented families find food, housing, counseling or medical care.

The committee also approved an expanded, temporary foreign guest worker program, which would allow up to 400,000 workers to fill jobs for up to six years.

Undocumented workers who already live in the United States would be allowed to live and work in the country legally if they learned English, remained employed, and paid taxes and fines of $2,000.

“We must anticipate the conflicts that will arise in this debate, and be vocal in our opposition to the rise of a dangerous compromise between the two pieces of legislation,” Juarez said. “We must organize to publicly express our support for legalization for undocumented immigrants and our fervent opposition to HR 4437. It is time to come together to strengthen our community against the anti-immigrant trend with one voice, one plan, one action,” he said.

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza warned that the approved proposal still faces a long, difficult path through Congress.

“The debate will no doubt be heated and at times contentious,” Garza wrote in an open letter distributed in Mexico City. “The debate in the Senate is only one part of the lengthy process.”

The bill is designed to strengthen enforcement of U.S. borders, regulate the flow of guest workers, and determine the legal future of the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally.

The most controversial provision would permit illegal aliens currently in the country to apply for citizenship without first having to return home, a process that would take at least six years.

The surprisingly swift committee action by a vote of 12-6 gave a major boost to comprehensive proposals that balance tough enforcement at the borders and workplaces with a path to citizenship for a vast population living in the shadows of the law.

The Senate plans to debate the issue and pass a bill by the end of next week before taking recess in April. Senators would then need to meet with their counterparts in the House to settle on a final compromise bill.