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Beyond Rita and Roberts: Bush still has chance on immigration front


04:56 AM CDT on Sunday, September 25, 2005


Angry hurricanes and Supreme Court nominations have given President Bush enough worries. But it's encouraging that he remains intent on getting a new immigration law. The most recent evidence is that presidential aides keep meeting with key legislators, including GOP Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona and GOP Sen. John Cornyn of Texas.

No Bush plan has emerged, but the administration apparently will try to marry a guest worker program for illegal immigrants with greater border security. The Financial Times reported as much last week, and a White House spokesperson confirms that this approach reflects the administration's principles.

We're heartened the president wants a two-fer solution. Some Republicans want only to tackle security issues. But Congress can't stop the flow of illegal immigrants without addressing the employment and security parts of the problem.

GOP Sen. John McCain and Mr. Flake have introduced the best guest worker program, which Mr. Bush would do well to follow. It provides incentives for the estimated 400,000 immigrants pouring across our borders each year to earn a three-year work visa, which would enable the U.S. government to document them and weed out security threats.

Equally crucial, their bill would allow immigrants with visas to start applying for U.S. citizenship. Yes, some cry "amnesty." But it's not. Immigrants with visas would have to go to the back of the line for citizenship requests. There's no blanket exemption.

What's more, the lure of citizenship would give immigrants an incentive to join a guest worker program. Without an inducement, they'll remain in the shadows. And Americans will be left with 11 million illegal immigrants.

On the security side of the equation, Mr. Cornyn has taken the lead. His plans for deploying greater technologies along the border particularly make sense. He wants more new border agents than are necessary, but the administration should generally heed the senator's ideas.

Given the day's headlines, Mother Nature and the Supreme Court will remain front-and-center. But here's hoping the president keeps pushing on immigration. It's another problem that worsens the longer Washington waits.Read our comparison of GOP Sens. John McCain's and John Cornyn's immigration plans.