Bush pushes embattled immigration overhaul plan

TUCSON – One hour’s drive from the Mexican border, US President George W.Bush on Monday touted efforts to fight illegal immigration as he pushed a temporary worker proposal that critics charge is an amnesty.

“The American people should not have to choose between a welcoming society and a lawful society. We can have both at the same time,” Bush said in a speech to border, immigration, and customs officials here.The president’s immigration reform proposal has split his Republican party at a time when he faces his lowest approval ratings since taking office in January 2001, with his conservative base calling for much tougher enforcement.”America has always been a compassionate nation that values the newcomer and takes great pride in our immigrant heritage.Yet we’re also a nation built on the rule of law and those who enter the country illegally violate the law,” he said.Bush’s plan, which faces an uphill battle in the US Congress, centres on the creation of a temporary worker programme open to undocumented migrants employed in the United States in jobs US citizens have shunned, as well as prospective migrants with US job offers.Those accepted could work legally in the United States for “a fixed period” of time, according to a statement from the White House, which has said it hopes to work out that duration in concert with Congress.The White House has rejected the amnesty label, but critics say the president’s blueprint would encourage illegal immigration by rewarding many of them with a job and permission to stay.In response, Bush has said the programme does not make it easier for those workers to become US citizens, and has emphasised efforts to keep undocument migrants out, to repatriate them if they are caught, and to reduce recidivism.”Illegal immigration is a serious challenge.And our responsibility is clear: We’re going to protect the border,” he said here on a two-day swing through states affected by the influx of undocumented immigration.- Nampa-AFPWe can have both at the same time,” Bush said in a speech to border, immigration, and customs officials here.The president’s immigration reform proposal has split his Republican party at a time when he faces his lowest approval ratings since taking office in January 2001, with his conservative base calling for much tougher enforcement.”America has always been a compassionate nation that values the newcomer and takes great pride in our immigrant heritage.Yet we’re also a nation built on the rule of law and those who enter the country illegally violate the law,” he said.Bush’s plan, which faces an uphill battle in the US Congress, centres on the creation of a temporary worker programme open to undocumented migrants employed in the United States in jobs US citizens have shunned, as well as prospective migrants with US job offers.Those accepted could work legally in the United States for “a fixed period” of time, according to a statement from the White House, which has said it hopes to work out that duration in concert with Congress.The White House has rejected the amnesty label, but critics say the president’s blueprint would encourage illegal immigration by rewarding many of them with a job and permission to stay.In response, Bush has said the programme does not make it easier for those workers to become US citizens, and has emphasised efforts to keep undocument migrants out, to repatriate them if they are caught, and to reduce recidivism.”Illegal immigration is a serious challenge.And our responsibility is clear: We’re going to protect the border,” he said here on a two-day swing through states affected by the influx of undocumented immigration.- Nampa-AFP