These are the essential suggestions made by Bush concerning America's future immigration policy, stemming the influx of illegal immigrants:
Land of the free.....
6,000 National Guard troops to be deployed to the US-Mexican border, which is 3,140km (1,950 miles) long
High-tech fences, motion sensors, infrared cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles to help to secure the border
Illegal immigrants with roots in the US who want to stay must pay a fine, back taxes, learn English and work in a job for several years. Approval not automatic
Tamper-proof ID card for every legal foreign worker
A temporary guest-worker programme for immigrants to do jobs that US citizens are unwilling to do. Workers must return to home country at conclusion of their work
In a televised speech from the Oval Office on Monday night, Mr Bush issued a call to find a “rational middle
ground” on immigration, proposing tougher border security while giving millions of immigrants the chance
of US citizenship.
....
His decision to deploy 6,000 National Guard troops next month to California, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico
to beef up security along the Mexican border drew a mixed response from the states’ governors, while
members of both parties said the troops were already stretched too thin in Iraq.
.....
In a politically courageous move, Mr Bush embraced the Senate’s proposal. Border security and citizenship
“are not contradictory goals”, he said. “America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the
same time.”
Mr Bush was treading a slender path: trying not to alienate his conservative base, while at the same time
trying to entice the rapidly growing Hispanic population into the Republican party. But it was clear he had
done little to sway either side.
.....
If you need the full speech, look HERE
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