Bush prods Congress to pass immigration reform
WASHINGTON (AFP) — President George W. Bush called on the US Congress Monday to address illegal immigration in "a sensible and humane way," after failing twice in two years to pass sweeping reforms on the problem.
"America needs to secure our borders," Bush told the legislature in his annual State of the Union address.
"We are increasing worksite enforcement, we are deploying fences and advanced technologies to stop illegal crossings, we have effectively ended the policy of 'catch and release' at the border, and by the end of this year, we will have doubled the number of border patrol agents."
However, he added: "We also need to acknowledge that we will never fully secure our border until we create a lawful way for foreign workers to come here and support our economy."
"We must also find a sensible and humane way to deal with people here illegally," he said.
"Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be resolved," the US president said. "And it must be resolved in a way that upholds both our laws and our highest ideals."
Three years ago Bush, now at the beginning of his final year in office, made reforms to deal with some 12 million illegal immigrants, mostly from Latin America, a key goal of his second four-year term in office.
But hardliners in his own Republican Party in Congress blocked the first effort in 2006 and a second one in 2007, despite Bush's strong support for the reforms, which would have opened ways for many of the immigrants to gain legal status.
Illegal immigration since has become a top issue in the race to replace Bush next year, especially among Republican candidates, most of whom have taken a tough position in favor of a crackdown.
