The White House, January 2004 Presidential Action

President Bush has proposed a new temporary worker program to match willing foreign workers with willing U.S. employers when no Americans can be found to fill the jobs. More from your Guide below
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  • The proposed program would be open to new foreign workers, and to the undocumented men and women currently employed in the U.S.
  • This program would allow workers who currently hold jobs to come out of hiding and participate legally in America's economy while not encouraging further illegal behavior.

President Bush also asked Congress to work with him to achieve significant immigration reform that protects the homeland by controlling the borders:

  • Serves America's economy by matching a willing worker with a willing employer
  • Promotes compassion for unprotected workers
  • Provides incentives for temporary workers to return to their home countries and families
  • protects the rights of legal immigrants while not unfairly rewarding those who came here unlawfully or hope to do so.

President Bush:

  • He does not support amnesty because individuals who violate America's laws should not be rewarded for illegal behavior and because amnesty perpetuates illegal immigration.
  • The Federal Government offer temporary worker status to undocumented men and women now employed in the United States and to those in foreign countries who have been offered employment here.
  • The workers under temporary status must pay a one-time fee to register in the program, abide by the rules, and return home after their period of work expires.
  • There would be an opportunity for renewal. In the future, only people outside the U.S. may join the temporary worker program, and there will be an orderly system in place to address the needs of workers and companies.

Today's Presidential Action

America is a welcoming nation, and the hard work and strength of our immigrants have made our Nation prosperous. Many immigrants and sons and daughters of immigrants have joined the military to help safeguard the liberty of America. Illegal immigration, however, creates an underclass of workers, afraid and vulnerable to exploitation. Current immigration law can also hinder companies from finding willing workers. The visas now available do not allow employers to fill jobs in many key sectors of our economy. Workers risk their lives in dangerous and illegal border crossings and are consigned to live their lives in the shadows. Without harming the economic security of Americans, reform of our Nation's immigration laws will create a system that is fairer, more consistent, and more compassionate.


Immigration Reform- this proposal is based on several basic principles:

  • Protecting the Homeland by Controlling Our Borders: The program should link to efforts to control our border through agreements with countries whose nationals participate in the program. It must support ongoing efforts to enhance homeland security.
  • Serve America's Economy by Matching a Willing Worker with a Willing Employer: When no American worker is available and willing to take a job, the program should provide a labor supply for American employers. It should do so in a way that is clear, streamlined, and efficient so people can find jobs and employers can find workers in a timely manner.
  • Promoting Compassion: The program should grant currently working undocumented aliens a temporary worker status to prevent exploitation. Participants would be issued a temporary worker card that will allow them to travel back and forth between their home and the U.S. without fear of being denied re-entry into America.

Providing Incentives for Return to Home Country:

  • The program will require the return of temporary workers to their home country after their period of work has concluded.
  • The legal status granted by this program would last three years, be renewable, and would have an end.
  • During the temporary work period, it should allow movement across the U.S. borders so the worker can maintain roots in their home country.

Rights of Legal Immigrants:

  • The program should not connect participation to a green card or citizenship.
  • it should not preclude a participant from obtaining green card status through the existing process.
  • It should not permit undocumented workers to gain an advantage over those who have followed the rules.