Bush plans immigration speech as debate heats up

By Caren Bohan2 hours, 35 minutes ago

President George W. Bush will push for a broad overhaul of U.S. immigration laws in a prime-time address on Monday that comes after weeks of nationwide rallies and a revived Senate effort to pass a bill.

The White House announced the Oval office address as a Defense Department official said the Pentagon was considering options for possibly sending troops or equipment to help with security on the U.S.-Mexican border.

Bush backs a guest-worker program that would let immigrants work temporarily in the United States, which has cost him support among some conservatives. As part of what he calls a comprehensive approach to immigration, he is also pushing measures to tighten border security.

The White House is asking major television networks to carry the Oval Office speech live at 8 p.m (midnight GMT). "The president will be laying out his comprehensive proposal for immigration reform," White House spokesman Tony Snow said.