Bush leans toward guest visas for workers

[Judi Lynn]

Aug. 27, 2005, 9:55PM

Bush leans toward guest visas for workers
GOP caught between business, conservatives on illegal immigrants
By RON FOURNIER
Associated Press

PHOENIX - Struggling to pacify his party's warring wings, President Bush is moving toward allowing illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before February 2004 to qualify for guest-worker visas. People smuggled in after then would be deported.

State leaders in Arizona and New Mexico have stepped up pressure on the Bush administration and the Republican-led Congress to better police U.S. borders and deal with an estimated 10 million people who are living in the country illegally.

"They're trying to split the baby," said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in reference to the White House plan, "and I don't think they can do that."

Bush and his advisers are caught between their supporters in the business sector, who think the economy needs the workers, and conservatives whose priority is to clamp down on illegal immigration. The White House hopes to send a detailed proposal to Congress in late September or early October.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3328068
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[KeepItReal]

1. Here's a laugher:

"A competing plan by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., would create two-year visas and require people to leave the U.S. before they can apply for the chance to work legally in the country.

Conservative House Republicans tend to favor Kyl's tougher approach. McCain mocks it.

"Turn yourself in so we can send you back to Mexico," said McCain, throwing his head back in laughter during an interview at his Arizona office last week. "It's not going to happen.""

[wli]

2. more offshoring ... union-busting as usual n/t