Don't kill immigration reform

GLYNCO, Ga., May 30 (Reuters) US President George W. Bush has pleaded with congressional opponents of a compromise immigration reform bill not to kill it.

Senate leaders from both major parties and White House officials have crafted a fragile compromise on an overhaul of the immigration system that Bush supports, but it has met resistance from both ends of the political spectrum.

Fighting to salvage what many analysts see as one of his few shots at a major legislative achievement in his final term, Bush insisted there is a ''desperate need'' to overhaul the immigration system.

''The system is broken to the point where people are being used as human cargo,'' Bush said in a speech at a federal law enforcement training centre yesterday.

The Senate measure would tie tough border security and workplace enforcement measures to a guest-worker programme and a plan to legalise millions of illegal immigrants.

Conservatives argue it will give amnesty to law breakers, while unions and their supporters say the temporary worker plan would create an underclass of cheap laborers.

''My answer to the skeptics is give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect,'' Bush said. ''Don't try to kill this bill before it gets moving.'' ''Now is the time for members of both political parties to stand up and show courage and take a leadership role and do what's right for America,'' he added.

REUTERS SBA ND0848