WASHINGTON — President Bush said Wednesday that his proposed overhaul of the nation's immigration laws would lift millions of undocumented workers from lives of exploitation, but criticism from some immigrant advocates and opposition from within his own party could block its enactment.
Bush said the current system that consigns as many as 11 million illegal immigrants to a shadowy existence is "wrong" and "not the American way." Instead, he proposed a new guest worker program that would be open to illegal immigrants already here and to prospective workers abroad.
"Our nation needs an immigration system that serves the American economy and reflects the American dream," Bush said in a speech in the East Room of the White House before an audience that included many Latino guests.
Most of the guest workers would be expected to go home eventually, and there would be no guarantee of green cards or U.S. citizenship. Under the plan, illegal immigrants already here and foreign workers abroad would be able to apply for a three-year work permit, which would be renewable at least once. Those already in the United States would have to pay a registration fee, to be set in consultation with Congress.
Workers would be allowed to switch jobs and to move from one type of work to another. Those already here would have to show that they were employed to gain recognition as guest workers. Those coming from abroad would be able to bring family members, if they could support them.
The election-year proposal drew immediate criticism. Democrats, labor unions and some Latino leaders said it would leave many immigrants unable to gain citizenship and would put too much power in the hands of employers.
Republican proponents of restrictive immigration laws said it was too generous.
However, some immigrant advocates and Latino leaders said the president had taken a positive step by tackling the issue.
On Capitol Hill, few expected that such an ambitious -- and preliminary -- proposal could be passed this year, given the compressed legislative schedule and the highly partisan political climate.
"I'm glad the president is engaging on this issue," said Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-North Hollywood), a leader on immigration issues. "But there are fatal flaws that need to be corrected."
Bush called Mexican President Vicente Fox to personally brief him on the proposal. Fox called the plan "very interesting," but withheld formal comment.
