House Republicans sidestep White House request for guest worker program

By Emily Heil, CongressDaily

House Republican leaders plan to marry an immigration bill expected to be introduced as soon as Tuesday by House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., to one offered by Homeland Security Chairman Peter King, R-N.Y, and put the combined measure on the floor for a possible vote next week, aides and lobbyists said.

That would enable those leaders to fulfill their promise to pass a border security and immigration bill before leaving town for the year.

President Bush last week called on Congress to pass immigration legislation that would tighten security along the borders to stop illegal immigrants, toughen penalties for those who do get into the United States and devise a temporary worker program to allow companies to continue hiring immigrants as the supply of illegal workers ostensibly dwindles.

The guest worker program puts Bush at odds with many GOP members who have ignored the White House's calls for a comprehensive bill and favor only the get-tough approach to illegal immigration.

House Republicans appear to be turning a deaf ear to the White House's call and are charting their own way by planning to pass a bill without the guest worker plan.

Sensenbrenner's bill, according to those familiar with it, will create a system that employers can use to verify that a potential employee is legally in the country and would impose penalties on companies that hire illegal work.