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Regardless of your feeelings about immigration (and the absurd claims of the Mexican haters that Americans are jumping at the chance to be picking crops in fields all day long; Mexicans came into those jobs because...even with higher wages, there were not enough WASPS to fill the jobs), there are several facts that the people attacking Bush are ignoring.

1. Contrary to the leaks prior to his speech, an employer must search for an American to fill the job, and can only fill the position with a foreigner if no American is found.
2. It is not a plan that will lead to citizenship, as the leaks made it out to be. In fact, Mexican groups are furious the plan does "too little." The program is only for three years. It is renewable, but only if the person keeps the job. Those already in the U.S. will have to pay a "fee".....really a fine....to join the program.
3. Again contrary to leaks, Bush made clear yesterday that these people will not be treated like citizens. They will not get social security as earlier claimed by the people hysterically attacking the program, but instead retirement funding from their home countries...as they will have to return home, not stay in the United States.

I was disappointed that Bush did not unveil a plan to use technology to monitor the borders though.

I think that ultimately those crying for "close the borders" are very short-sighted in thinking that somehow a fence will stop immigrants from coming here through the border. They will find a way in. But, I think that technology could be used to an extent to improve our ability to catch illegals coming across the border. This would make a lot more long-term sense than putting up some fence or deploying half the military to the borders.

I was hoping Bush would also propose something like that, but he didn't. Oh well I guess.

1. Contrary to the leaks prior to his speech, an employer must search for an American to fill the job, and can only fill the position with a foreigner if no American is found.

Oh you were making 18 an hour? Well now were offering the job for 6. You cant afford to work for that little? Well I guess no Americans are willing to do this job...guest worker please.

2. It is not a plan that will lead to citizenship, as the leaks made it out to be. In fact, Mexican groups are furious the plan does "too little." The program is only for three years. It is renewable, but only if the person keeps the job. Those already in the U.S. will have to pay a "fee".....really a fine....to join the program.

They are not furious. They are bucking at the gate because if they can argue that they are treated as 2nd class, they know they can get more. You are arguing that they will not be treated as citizens but you want them to do the hard work that Americans wont do? Yah and the democrats and illegals are going to thank you for your wonderful charity.

3. Again contrary to leaks, Bush made clear yesterday that these people will not be treated like citizens. They will not get social security as earlier claimed by the people hysterically attacking the program, but instead retirement funding from their home countries...as they will have to return home, not stay in the United States.

Who is going to make them return home?