Bush pressures lawmakers to pass immigration bill

By: JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS - Associated Press
JUNE 2, 2007
NORTH COUNTY TIMES

WASHINGTON -- President Bush challenged lawmakers on Friday to have the political courage to pass an immigration bill amid intense pressure from critics who call it amnesty and advocates who believe the current system is broken.

Bush stressed that while voting for the bill might be politically risky, he does not think the measure itself is risky.

"This is a difficult issue for a lot of folks," the president said. "I understand that. But because it's difficult probably means we need to work doubly hard to get it done. And now's the time to get it done.

"No matter how difficult it may seem for some politically, I strongly believe it's in this nation's interest for people here in Washington to show courage and resolve and pass a comprehensive immigration reform."

Bush was working to bolster support for a bipartisan measure -- one of his top domestic priorities -- that lawmakers will address when they return from recess early next week. A bill being discussed would legalize millions of illegal immigrants, tighten border security and mandate that employers verify they are hiring legal workers.

The bill includes conservative-backed initiatives such as the worker verification program to prevent illegal immigrants from getting jobs, and a new point system to prioritize skills and education over family in deciding who can immigrate in the future.

Liberals decry the point scheme as unfair to families and are vehemently opposed to a guest worker program that would allow laborers to come to the U.S. for temporary stints without a guarantee they would be able to stay and eventually gain citizenship.

But it also includes a long-sought liberal priority: granting legal status to the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. Conservatives view that as an unacceptable amnesty program.

"This bill isn't amnesty," Bush said. "For those who call it amnesty, they're just trying to, in my judgment, frighten people about the bill. This bill is one that says we recognize that you're here illegally and there's a consequence for it. We can argue about the consequences, but you can't argue about the fact that there are consequences in this bill for people who have broken our law."

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/06 ... 6_1_07.txt

Comments On This Story

Note: Comments reflect the views of readers and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff.

Beans for Brains wrote on Jun 2, 2007 1:45 AM: " No, no, no to this "lie" called a bipartisan immigration bill. It is amnesty and we don't need or want it. Enforce the laws on the books and fine employers. Beef up the border security. Send any politician who supports this bill "packing". "

Adam wrote on Jun 2, 2007 4:04 AM: " I will NEVER AGAIN support President Bush and probably never will be a Republican again. For you Democrats out there, Bush has been wrong on everything else he has done, What would make you think he is not wrong on the Immigration Amnesty issue. "

TWISTED LOGIC wrote on Jun 2, 2007 6:00 AM: " President Bush says that it is impossible to deport 12 million Illegal Aliens in the United States as they will never willingly leave. Then president Bush supports giving Citizenship to 12 to 20 million Illegal Aliens after they leave the country, apply, and come back. YEAH RIGHT. "

THE REAL POLL : Rasmussen wrote on Jun 2, 2007 7:51 AM: " The poll finds that after two weeks of debate and a major offensive by Bush and Chertoff: -- Approval of S. 1348 has not grown and remains at only 26%! -- Just 16% Believe Senate Bill Will Reduce Illegal Immigration! -- Sixty-six percent (66%) believe it doesn't make sense to debate new immigration laws, until we can first control our borders and enforce existing laws. (BINGO!) -- 82% believe the federal government could do more to reduce illegal immigration. -- 41% believe the Senate bill will actually lead to an increase in illegal immigration! -- 75% would “make changes to increase border security measures and reduce illegal immigration.â€