President Bush Encourages Guest Worker Program
Last night, President Bush delivered the annual State of the Union Address. One notable portion of the speech specifically mentioned immigration in the United States and possible immigration reform. President Bush stated that:
"Extending hope and opportunity in our country requires an immigration system worthy of America - with laws that are fair and borders that are secure. When laws and borders are routinely violated, this harms the interests of our country... Yet...we cannot fully secure the border unless we take pressure off the border - and that requires a temporary worker program."
The President noted that his Administration is doubling the size of the Border Patrol and funding the use of new technology to prevent illegal immigration.
The President also outlined other immigration related goals such as:
- Creation of a temporary guest worker program is needed so that people no longer have to sneak across the border. The Border Patrol should focus on finding and capturing drug smugglers and terrorists, rather than preventing illegal border crossing.
-Immigration laws must be enforced at the work place and employers must be given the tools to verify the status of workers so there is no excuse left for violating the law.
- The United States has a tradition of welcoming immigrants and this process must continue.
- The status of illegal immigrants already in country must be resolved without animosity and without amnesty.
- Congress must engage in serious, civil and conclusive debate so the President can sign comprehensive immigration reform into law.
