Immigration

This is taken from:
Bush: massive deportation of migrants won't work

By Tabassum Zakaria
Reuters
Monday, April 24, 2006; 5:20 PM
IRVINE, California (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Monday he doubted a "massive deportation" of foreigners living illegally in the United States would solve the country's immigration woes, as he tried to revive prospects for an election-year agreement in the divided U.S. Congress.

Senators returned to Washington on Monday from a two-week recess after Democrats and Republicans were unable to reach a compromise on what to do about an estimated 11.5 million to 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States.
I know this is an emotional debate," Bush said. "But one thing we cannot lose sight of is that we're talking about human beings, decent human beings that need to be treated with respect. Massive deportation of the people here is unrealistic. It's just not going to work."

Lawmakers are struggling to craft legislation. The bill before the Senate would tighten border security and give many illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, while the House of Representatives has passed legislation that further criminalizes illegal entry into the United States.

Bush, wrapping up a West Coast swing, said he favored a temporary worker program that would allow illegal immigrants to work inside the United States, but opposed granting automatic citizenship.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Bush had summoned a bipartisan group of senators to the White House on Tuesday to discuss immigration.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, commended Bush for addressing the issue. "I am encouraged by the president's backing of this approach today and hope that his leadership will help bring more Republicans together behind our tough but fair plan, so that we can finally fix our broken immigration system," he said.

Some Republicans and Democrats believe it is possible for Congress to reach agreement this election year.

DIVISIVE ISSUE

Dozens of protesters outside the hotel where Bush spoke in California held signs illustrating the divide on the issue, such as "Save Our Nation Secure Our Borders" and "Support Immigrant Rights."

Hundreds of thousands of supporters of easing immigration laws have rallied around the country in an election year in which Republicans are fighting to keep control of Congress.

Bush has been pressing for immigration reform since early in his presidency. The former governor of Texas, which borders Mexico, has come under fire from some in his Republican Party for not pushing hard enough for Congress to pass legislation.

Bush had previously accused Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada of single-handedly blocking immigration reform from moving through the Senate. But Reid pointed the finger back at Bush and Republicans.

"We had a bipartisan immigration deal that was blocked by a handful of Republican senators," Reid said on the Senate floor.

Republicans have been divided between those who support allowing illegal immigrants to work legally, and those opposed to rewarding illegal entry into the United States.

Bush sought to soothe critics by emphasizing border security efforts. "Our job is to enforce this border. Six million people have been turned back," he said.

Bush said that laws must be enforced and action taken against smugglers profiting from illegal border crossings.

But with a low U.S. unemployment rate businesses had difficulty finding people to do jobs that Americans will not do, so a temporary-worker program would "fill a need," Bush said.

(Additional reporting by Patricia Wilson)


My comments...
Since moving to Houston Immigration has become a serious issue. That topic is so hot that no political figure will take it on directly. Whether you are for immigration reform, or against it, the elected officials are keeping still until they know which position will keep them in office.
What are you thoughts...