http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01110.html



Bush makes immigration overhaul argument on border

By Steve Holland
Reuters
Thursday, August 3, 2006; 4:56 PM



MISSION, Texas (Reuters) - President George W. Bush argued on Thursday for combining tougher border enforcement with a guest-worker program for illegal immigrants as he clung to a position at odds with conservative Republicans.

Bush stopped within a stone's throw of the Rio Grande on the U.S.-Mexico border on the way to his Crawford, Texas, ranch for 10 days of vacation mixed with work on the Middle East and other issues. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is to join him for the weekend.

He toured a section of the border where Border Patrol agents use a "skybox" device that elevates them above ground so they can track border movements closely and uses high-tech gadgets, such as infrared.

"We want to send a clear message, we will enforce our border," Bush said at an outdoors event to several dozen people who fanned themselves against the withering heat.

While stressing the need for tougher enforcement of the porous border to limit entry of illegal immigrants, Bush sounded a note of compassion for illegal immigrants seeking to scratch out a living in the United States.

"There are people doing jobs that Americans aren't doing, the people who come across this border to do work Americans are not doing, and it makes sense to let them come on a temporary basis in a legal way," Bush said.

There are an estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States and border security has become a volatile issue that could play a role in November congressional elections.

Congressional conservatives want tighter enforcement of northern and southern borders, while others, including Bush, back legislation that would put most of the immigrants in the country illegally on a path to U.S. citizenship.

Politicians of varying stripes recognize the need to toughen border enforcement, due partly to concerns about terrorists crossing illegally into the United States.

With few days left in this year's legislative session, doubts are rising the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives can agree on a compromise immigration reform bill.

"I expect the United States Congress to do its duty and pass comprehensive immigration reform," Bush said.

U.S. House Republican leaders plans to hold 21 hearings across the country through August to build support for tough border security measures to curb illegal immigration.

White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters traveling with Bush there were "active negotiations" going on about immigration with leaders of Congress.

"He understands the legislative process. It doesn't always operate neatly, quickly or according to timelines," he said.

© 2006 Reuters

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