BUSH PLANS IMMIGRANT BENEFIT PROTECTION:  PART I
Tuesday, January 13, 2004

President Bush’s immigration reform proposal faces major obstacles in Congress. His proposal drew fire from both sides of the immigration debate.

Democrats and immigrant advocates said it offers too little and Republicans called it a form of amnesty that will reward people who violate immigration laws.

8 to 10 million illegal workers in the U.S. would be, according to the President, encouraged to come out of the “shadows of American Life” and obtain three-year temporary residency visas.   They would not be guaranteed permanent residency
or citizenship. The plan is to encourage illegal workers to return to their home countries. However, American businesses would be able to hire these foreign workers.

The President said his plan would improve border securities since the government would know the identity of millions of illegals, who are at present undocumented.

Cecilia Munoz, Vice President of the National Council of La Raza, an immigrant advocacy group, said the plan was a step backward – because the president in 2001 had suggested legalization.

Democrats slammed the Bush plan for failing to offer a path to free citizenship for illegal immigrants.

Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) an outspoken critic of illegal immigration said, “Bush’s plan will allow people already here illegally to gain access to legal status, and that is amnesty.

Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-GA) said he would refuse to go along with the White House until the Federal government enforces immigration laws.

Senator Saxby Chambliss, (R-GA) who chairs the Senate subcommittee
on immigration, said he agrees with the President. He said…this will give us
“a consistent policy.”

However, if the numbers continue, this decade will mark the most massive wave
of immigration in American history, with 45 million immigrants, which is about 14% of the country’s total projected population.   Why are we allowing this?

Annually, an estimated 800,000 illegal aliens cross America’s borders while
avoiding a health screening. They are not vaccinated for a host of deadly diseases they are bringing into America.

To contact your Congressman call:
1-877-762-8762
To contact your Senator call:
l-800-648-3516

Tomorrow - Part II