Thread: U.S. Attorney General Gonzales backs guest-worker proposal

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/n ... 958378.htm

Posted on Fri, Oct. 21, 2005

Gonzales backs guest-worker proposal

JIM MORRILL

Staff Writer


U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Thursday defended President Bush's call for a temporary guest-worker program for illegal immigrants, a proposal critics dismiss as an amnesty.

During a visit to Charlotte, Gonzales called such a program "an important part of knowing who's in the country."

Gonzales met with local Justice Department officials after visiting hurricane-damaged areas along the Gulf Coast. In brief interviews with reporters, he talked about immigration, Harriet Miers' Supreme Court nomination and other subjects.

Bush on Tuesday outlined a proposal that calls for stricter border controls and a temporary-worker program that would allow some illegal immigrants to remain in this country up to six years.

"In a post-9-11 world, it is absolutely essential to know who's coming into this country," Gonzales said. "And to not secure our borders is counterproductive to those efforts."

Gonzales said he was unfamiliar with legislation introduced by Rep. Sue Myrick, a Charlotte Republican, that calls for getting tough on illegal immigrants. Among other things, Myrick has called for local law enforcement officials to get more involved in enforcing federal immigration laws.

The attorney general said enforcement changes have to be decided by the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration laws. However, Gonzales said many local officers don't want to get involved in immigration enforcement.

Asked about a potential backlash against all immigrants, legal or not, he said, "That would be a shame. (It's) part of what makes our country great."

On Miers, Gonzales said the president's latest nominee is well-qualified to serve on the high court. He acknowledged that some Latinos were disappointed that he or someone else of Hispanic origin was not named.

Gonzales also defended the president's opposition to a Senate-passed amendment that would ban U.S. torture of military prisoners. The amendment, sponsored by Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, passed 90-9 this month.

Gonzales said though Bush doesn't condone torture, the measure would "inhibit the ability of the president to deal effectively with detainees."

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Thursday defended President Bush's call for a temporary guest-worker program for illegal immigrants, a proposal critics dismiss as an amnesty.

Oh yeah that was a shocker. Thanks for the newsflash Captain Obvious (that's to the person who wrote the article, not to the person who posted it here). This bit of news was like telling me that it's going to rain today in DC. Duh.

The attorney general said enforcement changes have to be decided by the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration laws. However, Gonzales said many local officers don't want to get involved in immigration enforcement.

DHS will decide policies for state and local law enforcement??



Hmmmmm.....