Acknowledging that the United States immigration system and laws need “more rational and more humane” reform, President Bush unveiled a plan on Jan. 7 that would allow eight million undocumented immigrants to legally work in this country.“As a nation that values immigration and depends on immigration, we should have immigration laws that work and make us proud,” Bush said. “Yet today we do not.”
Drawing on the fact that the nation is a “welcoming society,” Bush touted his plan as a vehicle that allows immigrants to fulfill their dreams of working and providing for their families, and also as an act of national security.
“America must control its borders,” he said. “Following the attacks of September the 11th, 2001, this duty of the federal government has become even more urgent, and we’re fulfilling that duty. Our homeland will be more secure when we can better account for those who enter our country.
“Instead of the current situation, in which millions of people are unknown … law enforcement will face few problems with undocumented workers and will be better able to focus on the true threats to our nation from criminals and terrorists.”
Bush asked Congress that a “temporary worker” program be implemented whereby all undocumented workers currently living in the United States are eligible to register. Those who already have a job — and those who are offered jobs in this country — can apply for a temporary three-year work permit that could be renewed once for a total stay of six years. Bush’s plan would also allow new immigrants to come to the United States as long as they obtain jobs, which are unfilled by legal U.S. citizens, through a government database.
Undocumented workers would have to pay a one-time registration fee for the temporary worker program, and those who aren’t yet in the United States but want to participate in the program will have the fee waived.
“This new system will be more compassionate,” said Bush. “Decent, hard-working people will now be protected by labor laws, with the right to change jobs, earn fair wages and enjoy the same working conditions that the law requires for American workers.”
But he added that participants who break the law, fail to follow the rules of the program or don’t remain employed will be ineligible to continue participating in the temporary program and required to return home. Bush outlined that employers would also follow sanctions, including not hiring undocumented immigrants or workers whose legal status has expired and reporting to the government who they hire and fire.
“There must be strong workplace enforcement with tough penalties for anyone — for any employer violating these laws,” said Bush. “Under my proposal, employers have key responsibilities. Employers who extend job offers must first make every reasonable effort to find an American worker for the job at hand. Our government will develop a quick and simple system for employers to search for American workers.”
Bush also said illegal immigrants would have a card, which indicates legal status as a temporary worker, allowing them to travel back and forth to their home countries, without any fear of being denied re-entry to the United States. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Labor Department will administer the new program.
“Instead of the current situation, in which millions of people are unknown to the law, law enforcement will face fewer problems with undocumented workers and will be better able to focus on the true threats to our nation from criminals and terrorists,” said Bush.
In a statement on Jan. 7, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao said, “The President has proposed a bold new set of principles on immigration reform for Congress to enact. Secretaries Powell, Ridge and Attorney General Ashcroft and I along with the rest of the Task Force worked very hard for a long time after Sept. 11, 2001 to come up with a program to help immigrants and their families, and ensure the continued security of our borders. The president and I believe in the benefits that immigrants bring to our country and we hope Congress will take the challenge and bring about legislation that will ensure greater opportunities for millions of immigrants.”
Although temporary workers would have an opportunity to live and work in the United States, they will also be encouraged and given financial incentives to return to their home countries.
He underscored the fact that his proposal is not a ticket to citizenship or permanent resident status.
“I oppose amnesty, placing undocumented workers on the automatic path to citizenship,” said Bush. “Granting amnesty encourages the violation of our laws and perpetuates illegal immigration. America’s a welcoming county, but citizenship must not be the automatic reward for violating the laws of America.”
He added that temporary workers who wish to seek American citizenship can apply the normal way, and would not have an unfair advantage over those “who have followed legal procedures from the start.” Bush wants Congress to up the 140,000 green cards that are issued annually to immigrants, saying that the number is too low.
This is the president’s first new policy initiative of 2004, an election year, and if passed as legislation, Bush’s proposal would be the biggest overhaul of United States immigration laws since the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, which gave legal status to three million undocumented workers.