Bush says opposes national immigration boycott
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Friday he opposes a national boycott planned by pro-immigration activists on Monday that could include millions of participants.


Organizers have timed the action for May Day and have strong support from big labor and the Roman Catholic church. They vow that America's major cities will grind to a halt and its economy will stagger as Latinos walk off their jobs and skip school.

"You know, I'm not a supporter of boycotts. I am a supporter of comprehensive immigration," Bush told a Rose Garden news conference, referring to efforts to reach an immigration deal with the U.S. Congress.

Bush urged the protesters to show respect.

"You know, I think it's very important for people, when they do express themselves, they continue to do so in a peaceful way, in a respectful way, respectful of ... how highly charged this debate can become," he said.

Immigration has split Congress, the Republican Party and public opinion. Conservatives want the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants returned to Mexico and a fence built along the border.

Bush and others want a guest-worker program and a path to citizenship. Most agree some reform is needed to stem the flow of poor to the world's biggest economy.

Bush said "most Americans agree that we've got to enforce our border" but that a temporary guest-worker program is needed as a way to get rid of an illegal smuggling network that brings people across the border and forges documents.

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