North County Times
A revolt appears to be occurring within Republican Party ranks over illegal immigration as President Bush calls for a temporary guest worker program, and Republicans say that the administration's first priority should be enforcing existing immigration laws, strengthening the borders and cracking down on those who employ undocumented immigrants.
Nearly one-third of the 231 Republican members of Congress, including several from North County and Southwest Riverside County and one Democrat have sent a letter to Bush, saying the government needs to enforce current immigration laws before enacting a guest worker program.
Among the 81 members who signed the Oct. 7 letter were three of San Diego County's five congressional representatives ---- Darrell Issa, R-Vista; Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Escondido; and Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon ----- as well as Riverside County's U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona.
"We believe that there should be no new guest-worker program or any expansion of the number of lawful residents in our country until the Executive Branch better enforces current immigration laws," the letter states.
Posted by Richard at October 20, 2005