Bush Renews Plea 4 Im'gration Leniency over C'gress Opp
http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_art ... b0e9090757
Bush Renews Plea for Immigration Leniency Despite Congress Opposition
Filipino Express, News Report,
Rita Villadiego, Apr 03, 2005
NEW YORK--President Bush pledged last Wednesday to make a fresh push for stalled immigration reforms despite strong opposition from Congress to legalize undocumented workers.
The Knight Ridder Newspapers reported that Bush told Mexican President Vicente Fox in a meeting in his Texas ranch, that he would keep pushing for more lenient immigration laws, but said he couldn't guarantee that Congress would go along.
Immigration is a sensitive issue for both Mexico and the U.S. as America is determined to tighten its border to stop the illegal crossing of thousands of Mexicans into the border. In the aftermath of September 11 terrorist attacks, the government has been more strict in its border control and in scrutinizing even legal immigrants in airports. Immigration reforms were put in the backseat.
There are 8 to 12 million illegal immigrants working in the U.S., struggling to build a better future for their children. Their valuable work is an engine for economic growth. Bush wants to provide these workers legal status, through a temporary working permit, that would give them more protection, allow them to pay taxes and make them easily monitored for security purposes.
Immigrant rights advocates are pushing for the passage of the SOLVE Act bill pending in Congress that would allow undocumented workers to have legal status and a chance to be permanent residents.
Republicans and Democrats are divided on immigration issues. Some legislators believe that the plan must include a temporary working permit, and perhaps permanent residency and those who advocate for stricter policy to remove undocumented workers.
Instead of legalizing immigrants, Congress and some state legislatures, filed bills recently disallowing illegal aliens from having legal IDs, driver’s licenses and funds for health and education.
Knight Ridder said that the illegal immigrant population has reached an all-time high of nearly 11 million. The study by the Pew Hispanic Center, a private research group based in Washington, also found that undocumented Mexicans accounted for 57 percent of all illegal entrants.
Bush reiterated his calls to match working with willing employers. “That job ought to be filled on a legal basis, no matter where the person comes from. That makes sense,� Bush said.
User Comments
Robert Baker Apr 03, 2005 14:39:15
The presidents continued stubborn stand for amnesty for illegal immigrants, when it is very clear that the major portion of U.S. Citizens are fed up with it amazes me. Because of the push for this legalization of the illegals I have withdrawn my financial, and political support for the Republican Party afterhaving been a meber for over 50 years. Our president, and members of congress have asked our youth, and members of the military to step forward and make the sacrifice of their lives in our war on terrorisim, and they congress and the administration lack the intestinal fortitude to even began to enforece the existing Immigration laws, and attempt to secure our borders.
Ellen Stallworth Apr 03, 2005 13:37:24
This media is well aware, there will be no immigration law passed that would grant any legal work permission to illegal living in the USA.