Pacific Views

Dubya's proposal on Mexican workers.

The White House has finally made a formal announcement of
Dubya's plan to allow Mexican workers enter the US legally if they have a job promised to them.

Details of Bush's proposal have been sketchy, yet immigration policy groups already are suspicious.

"Proposals that are more posture than substance will be dismissed as election-year antics," said the National Immigration Forum, which advocates immigration policies that welcome immigrants and refugees.

Two sources speaking on condition of anonymity said Bush would outline a set of principles rather than a detailed piece of legislation, and that the policy statement would draw on bills already pending in Congress.

"It looks very much like a political effort and what they do with these 'principles' is going to determine whether this is really a policy initiative or not," said Cecilia Munoz, vice president for policy at the National Council of La Raza.

We're with Cecilia Munoz on this one. Given that Dubya's had three years to address the question of Mexican immigration, waiting until now smacks of an election year ploy to increase the prez's support among Latino voters.

Via AP.

Update: Talking Points Memo has the transcript of a conference call in which some of Dubya's minions explained the prez's plan. Judge for yourself whether you think the plan will go anywhere.