News In Brief 29 November 2005

Bush Fires Up New Immigration Plans; New Temp Workers Must Open Private SS Accounts

Says Congress Has Same Access To Borders; Woodward Knew of Illegal Crossing For 2-Years

In an effort to gain the high political ground within his own Republican Party, President Bush, in a speech at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, fired up a new immigration policy that defends his administration and will require newly documented temporary guest works to open private Social Security accounts.

"Illegal immigration's a serious challenge," Mr. Bush said, "And our responsibility is clear. We are going to protect the border."

The President defended his administration's immigration policies, saying that "the Congress has the same access to the border that we have."

In Washington, Vice President Dick Cheney said that it was "reprehensible" for anyone to cross the border illegally.

Representative Jean Schmidt (R-OH) said from the floor of the House that "Cowards cut and run, Border Patrol Agents don't".

In an effort to boost his sagging ratings, the President also announced a new Temporary Guest Worker Program, for the thousands of Mexican immigrants who want to work in this country and provide needed labor for many industries.

With an eye towards revitalizing his domestic agenda, the President indicated that the new Temporary Guest Workers will be required to open special private Social Security Accounts, which is a centerpiece of the President's plans ot overhaul the Social Security system.

"These private accounts", said the President, "will give these guest immigrants a future. They can invest the money they earn here as they see fit."

The President sees an opening that, should a portion of these temporary guest workers become U.S. Citizens, the special private Social Security accounts will be carried over and a base can begin building that will aide the President in pushing through his changes.

Both Arizona senators were in the audience for the President's speech. Senator John McCain co-sponsored a plan to give part the guest worker program a path to citizenship and Senator Jon Kyl has co-sponsored a bill to deny temporary workers a path to citizenship.

McCain has added an amendment to the bill funding the Temporary Guest Worker Program outlawing Border Patrol agents and the CIA from torturing any legal or illegal immigrants.

In a related matter, Washington Post reporter and author Bob Woodward disclosed to his editors that he knew, over two-years ago, that illegal immigrants were crossing the U.S. borders.