Bush's plan, announced in January, has raised expectations in Mexico and among illegal workers in this country, but it has little chance of passing Congress this year. Republican critics say the proposal would reward illegal immigrants; Democrats complain that it does not do enough to help foreign workers become U.S. citizens. "I certainly hope Congress takes this issue up. But there's no telling what's going to happen in an election year, so it's very difficult to give a date, " Bush said. Bush took issue with critics who say that his proposal amounts to an amnesty plan for illegal workers. Illegal workers could join the temporary worker program, but they would not have any guarantee of U.S. citizenship.
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