President George W. Bush said on Thursday an overhaul of US immigration law will require compromise on both sides of the volatile issue and there was "no excuse" for putting it off.
With concern growing that a proposed new immigration law will be difficult to pass ahead of congressional mid-term elections in November, Bush kept up the pressure for legislation that would include a temporary worker program. Lawmakers from the US House of Representatives and the Senate are preparing to convene a conference committee to reconcile competing bills passed by each chamber.
The House bill stresses stronger border protections and would define the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country as felons. The Senate bill, which Bush supports, couples tougher border control with a temporary worker program and path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
"The House and Senate bills require effort and compromise on both sides," Bush said in a speech to the US Chamber of Commerce. "It's a difficult task, yet the difficulty of this task is no excuse for avoiding it." The White House said Bush would take his case next week for comprehensive reform to New Mexico, Texas and Nebraska.
In his speech, Bush rejected arguments from some conservative Republicans that the guest worker provision amounts to amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants. His remarks appeared aimed specifically at Wisconsin Republican Rep. James Sensenbrenner, architect of the House bill, who called the Senate version a grant of amnesty because it would give many illegal immigrants a chance eventually to become citizens.
While most Democrats support the Senate bill, Republicans are split on the issue, with many conservatives arguing passionately against anything that even smacks of amnesty. Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn said he was encouraged by Bush's call for compromise but the final bill would need to start first with border security and any "future temporary worker plan must be just that: temporary."
White House officials are sensitive to descriptions of the Senate legislation as amnesty because it reminds voters of a 1986 immigration law that was seen in fact as an amnesty for millions of immigrants.
They note the bill Bush supports requires immigrants to pay a fine for breaking the law by entering the country illegally, pay taxes, learn English and work in a job for a number of years. Only then would they be allowed in the back of the citizenship line - a process that could take a decade.
"This isn't amnesty," Bush said. "It is a practical and reasonable way for those who have broken the law to pay their debt to society and demonstrate the character that makes a good citizen."
Bush also urged employers to respect laws forbidding the hiring of illegal immigrants and said the proposed legislation would stiffen penalties for violators.
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