Bush renews immigration reform bid

Bush said the “$4.4bn in immediate additional funding for securing our borders and enforcing our laws at the work site” will come from

 

 

Bush’s decision to announce personally his support for the accelerated funding reflected worries expressed by Republican senators at a private meeting on Tuesday.

 

“We’re going to show the American people that the promises in this bill will be kept” George Bush, US president

Several told him their constituents doubted the government was capable of following through on a commitment to enforce immigration laws.

 

“We’re going to show the American people that the promises in this bill will be kept,” Bush said.

 

Under the legislation as drafted, money for border enforcement would be collected gradually as illegal immigrants pay the fines and fees needed to achieve legal status.

 

Bush’s attempt was met with a mixed reaction. Backers of the bill hope that the extra funding will prompt conservatives, under fierce pressure to oppose the measure in the 100-seat senate, to sign on.

 

But opponents say there is “simply no reason” to tie amnesty to the issue of enhancing border security, calling it a last-ditch attempt “to attract votes to a bad bill”.

 

The legislation would grant a path to legal status to illegal immigrants, strengthen border enforcement and initiate a low wage guest worker programme.

 

It would also replace the current family-dominated immigration system with a merit-based points formula and attempt to cut a huge backlog for permanent resident green card applicants.