George W. Bush 2000 On The Issues
Immigration
Governor Bush believes that
immigration is not a problem to be solved, but the sign of a successful
nation. As Governor of a border state, he knows first-hand the
benefits legal immigrants bring to America. While he is strongly opposed
to illegal immigration, he believes more should be done to welcome legal
immigrants. Therefore, he will establish a 6-month standard for processing
immigration applications, encourage family reunification, and split the
INS into two agencies: one focused on enforcement, and one focused on
naturalization and immigration services.
Governor Bush’s Approach
Welcoming legal immigrants: Governor Bush is committed to
welcoming new Americans with respect and open arms, and to comprehensive
INS reform to change the policies that create needless obstacles to legal
immigrants and that frustrate family reunification.
Enforcing the border: Because it is a federal responsibility
to secure the border, Governor Bush supports increased efforts along the
border, such as “Operation Hold the Line” that have been successful in
El Paso, Texas at limiting illegal immigration.
Encouraging free trade: Governor Bush understands that a
healthy Mexico is good for America and that family values do not end at
the Rio Grand River. He believes the long-term solution to illegal
immigration is increased trade with Mexico. Free trade is the best
way for Mexico to grow a strong middle class and improve the quality of
life so that fewer people will want to leave.
Expanding temporary visas: Governor Bush supports expanding
the H-2A temporary agricultural workers program so that willing workers
can provide much needed help to America’s farmers, and increasing the
number of H-1B visas so that we can fill the need for more high-tech
workers in our vibrant economy. He believes, however, that the long-term
solution to the increasing demand for skilled workers is to improve
America’s public schools. That is why he has proposed a comprehensive
education reform plan.
Governor Bush’s Immigration Reform Proposals
Governor Bush has proposed a comprehensive reform of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service to help change its character and to make America
more welcoming to new immigrants. As President, Governor Bush will:
- Establish a 6-month standard for processing immigration
applications. Currently, the INS takes 3-5 years or more
simply to process an immigration application. There is no
justification for processing to take 3-5 years; an INS properly
focused on service would move much faster. Governor Bush
believes every INS application should be fully processed within 180
days of submission. To meet this 6-month standard, and to
fundamentally alter the approach of the INS, Governor Bush will:
- Restructure the INS: Governor Bush will support
legislation to divide the INS into two separate agencies: one to
deal with the enforcement components of border protection and interior
enforcement, and another to deal with the service components of
naturalization. Both agencies will be headed by an Associate
Attorney General for Immigration Affairs, who will supervise both
functions, and make sure that the agencies are taking consistent legal
and policy approaches.
- Introduce performance incentives to the INS: Governor
Bush has already proposed a comprehensive set of civil-service
reforms, ways to make government more responsive to its customers.
He will follow the same principles with the INS. In
particular, he will introduce performance incentives for employees to
process cases quickly, and make customer satisfaction a priority.
- Propose an additional $500 million over 5 years to
fund new personnel and increased employee incentives to provide
quality service to all legal immigrants.
- Encourage Family Reunification: Governor Bush will
change the INS policy so that spouses and minor children of legal
permanent residents are allowed to apply for visitor visas while their
immigration applications are pending. He will reverse the
presumption that such family members will violate their terms of
admission, and will encourage family reunification for legal
immigrants.
Position Proposal
Source: George W. Bush for President 2000 Web Site
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