July 13, 2006
Commerce Secretary Urges Guest Worker Program
By RACHEL L. SWARNS

Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez urged Congress to pass legislation that would put illegal immigrants on a path to citizenship and create a temporary worker program to ensure that American companies could meet their labor needs. Mr. Gutierrez, testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that 500 of the nation’s top economists recently sent a letter to the Bush administration stating that immigration had been a net gain for Americans. Meanwhile, House Republicans announced plans for seven more hearings this month to highlight their concerns about the Senate immigration bill, which would legalize most of the nation’s illegal immigrants.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/13/washi ... 20Refugees