http://rdu.news14.com/content/your_news ... ArID=85704

Sen. Dole discusses immigration reform
Updated: 6/10/2006 12:57 PM
By: Tim Boyum & Web Staff


DURHAM -- As leaders in Congress try to hammer out a compromise on immigration, Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-North Carolina) made a quick trip to North Carolina Friday.

Two weeks ago the U.S. Senate passed its version of immigration reform.

“I voted against the Senate bill because it put amnesty first,” Senator Dole said.

The bill includes building a 370 mile fence and sending 6,000 National Guard troops to help patrol the borders, but Dole said that's not enough.

“We need to have these unmanned aerial vehicles, more border agents, facilities for detainees, censors, and that has to come first,” Dole said.

The bill also includes an amnesty program that allows illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.

“I would have certainly supported a temporary worker program to help, but there are things in the legislation that were just incredible that defied sensibility,” Dole explained.

While Senator Dole was in Durham giving her views on immigration, there is a fierce debate on immigration on Capitol Hill. There are big differences between the U.S. House and Senate.

The House passed it's own immigration reform in December. It does not include a guest worker program or path to citizenship. Both sides must now try to work out a compromise.

“It'll be in conference and we'll just see what they're able to work out,” Dole said.

President Bush has pressed Congress to work out something quickly.

“For people in Washington, D.C., now is the time to get something done. It's important for our elected leaders to understand, if you're going to address the issue of immigration, you've got to address all aspects of the immigration. It's got to be a comprehensive bill if we want there to be an effective bill,” President Bush said earlier this week.

But a comprehensive plan would likely include a guest worker program and that creates tough negotiations between the House and Senate. There is no time frame set for coming up with a compromise, that is if Congress can indeed agree on one in the first place.