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Bush deems guest workers key for economy
By Joseph Curl and Stephen Dinan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published February 1, 2006

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President Bush last night called for "stronger immigration enforcement and border protection" even as he told Congress to move forward with his plan to create a guest-worker program to fill jobs that no Americans want.

He also seemed to challenge those in his party who oppose a guest-worker program, saying the nation needs immigrants.

"We hear claims that immigrants are somehow bad for the economy -- even though this economy could not function without them," Mr. Bush said in his State of the Union address.

The only way to keep the United States competitive is to create an immigration system that "upholds our laws, reflects our values and serves the interests of our economy," he said.

"Our nation needs orderly and secure borders. To meet this goal, we must have stronger immigration enforcement and border protection," Mr. Bush said. "And we must have a rational, humane guest-worker program that rejects amnesty, allows temporary jobs for people who seek them legally and reduces smuggling and crime at the border."

The president pushed for his guest-worker plan in his past two State of the Union addresses as a way to help employers, but this year his focus on border security and immigration enforcement was much clearer.

"There has been continual movement on his part because he recognizes the Congress and the American people aren't with him, and we're going to fight him," said Rep. Tom Tancredo, Colorado Republican.

He and other Republicans took issue with Mr. Bush for not differentiating between legal immigrants and illegal aliens when he said the economy could not work without immigrants.

Rep. Lamar Smith, Texas Republican, said U.S. workers would be hurt by a guest-worker program.

"Studies show that competition from cheap foreign labor depresses wages and takes jobs away from American citizens and legal immigrants alike," Mr. Smith said.

He also said Mr. Bush's plan is unenforceable, because those here illegally cannot be expected to return to their home countries voluntarily.

In the official Democratic response to the State of the Union, Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Mr. Bush does not have a rational immigration policy and that the result is a "confusing patchwork" for states and localities to handle.

He shied away from a specific call for a path to citizenship for illegal aliens, even though most party leaders in Washington have endorsed that.

"We should welcome those who seek to lawfully join and contribute to our American family," Mr. Kaine said. "At the same time, we must ensure that our homeland-defense efforts begin with consistent federal action to protect our borders."

In the Spanish-language Democratic response, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa specifically called for "comprehensive immigration reform" and for giving "hardworking people who play by the rules a greater opportunity to realize the American dream."

Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Republican, said Mr. Bush was right to call for action on the border and for his guest-worker plan.

"The bill I've introduced strengthens our border enforcement and comprehensively reforms our immigration system," Mr. Cornyn said. "We need both stronger enforcement and reasonable reform of our immigration laws."