YUMA, Ariz. – President Bush hailed tougher enforcement along the Mexican border as he tried on Monday to revive his stalled efforts to overhaul U.S. immigration laws. Many of his fellow Republicans in Congress are opposing him.
Frustrated by his failure to get a bill approved last year when the GOP was in charge, Bush said prospects look brighter in the Democratic Congress.
“I think the atmosphere up there is good right now,” he said.
His message – particularly to conservative critics from his own party – was that stepped-up border enforcement is working and it’s time to adopt a temporary worker program, hold U.S. employers accountable for the workers they hire and resolve the status of the millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States.
He saluted the opening of a new border patrol station in this southwest corner of Arizona and said, “This border is more secure and America is safer as a result.”
The president was joined by Sen. Jon Kyl, the Arizona Republican whose support is crucial to any deal in the Congress. Another lawmaker vital to Bush’s effort, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., issued a statement that said: “President Bush did the right thing today by speaking out. … There is a lot of common ground, especially in the need to strengthen our borders and enforce our laws, though important differences remain to be resolved.”
Contending that tougher enforcement is paying off, Bush said: “The number of people apprehended for illegally crossing our southern border is down by nearly 30 percent this year. We’re making progress.”
The draft of the compromise immigration plan that was floated last month would grant work visas to undocumented immigrants but require them to return home and pay hefty fines to become legal U.S. residents. They could apply for three-year work visas, dubbed “Z” visas, which would be renewable indefinitely but cost $3,500 each time.
The undocumented workers would have legal status with the visas, but to become legal permanent residents with a green card, they’d have to return to their home country, apply at a U.S. Embassy or consulate to re-enter legally and pay a $10,000 fine.
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