Bush urges compromise in immigration debate
WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) President George W Bush today said 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 U.S. 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.
MORE REUTERS PR RK2138