Indiana Gov. Daniels backs Bush guest worker proposal

[Thom Little]

President Bush's proposal for a guest worker program as a way of addressing illegal immigration is gaining support from Gov. Mitch Daniels, but doubts from officials with agencies that work with northwestern Indiana's growing immigrant population.

Bush's desire for a guest worker program has been stalled in Congress since he proposed it while running for re-election, although at least two competing bills would establish temporary worker visas. He made immigration the subject of his weekly radio address Saturday and addressed the issue during appearances in Arizona and Texas last week, saying it will top his legislative agenda next year.

"These people are here and are prepared to work hard," Daniels told the Post-Tribune of Merrillville. "We need to find a way to deal with those issues" that keep them from staying legally.

.......

Bush's proposal to give guest workers legal status for up to six years would help them, Torres said. Workers would not break the law, would pay more taxes, and would be able to move freely and integrate with society.


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IN_IMMIGRATION_IND_INOL-?SITE=VARIT&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-12-04-16-54-22

[indypaul]

1. Just don't ask him what time it is. n/t

[salin]

3. bwahaha

too funny

[BiggJawn]

6. There goes my monitor!

:spray:

[INdemo]

2. Walmart is scheduled to build

600 new super centers..several will be built in Indiana..They will use illegal immigrants for part of the construction work.When they are caught Walmart dont know about it and blame it on the subcontractors......
voters in Indiana regret voting for this idiot Daniels.....
If Daniels had his way illegal imigrants would be building the new Colts stadium..

[VegasWolf]

4. Hah! This will drive the FReepers in Indiana crazy! nt

:puke:

[amandabeech]

5. Northwestern Indiana is really the Gary metro area.

It has been a run down manufacturing area with high levels of unemployment. It also has a very substantial African-American community and is a Democratic stronghold in a Republican-dominated state.

If there are insufficient jobs and many unemployed, it is possible that newcomers may not be welcome if they take jobs by working for less. And, frankly, I think that there area very prejudiced folks out there who would rather hire Latin Americans, which group the article singles out, than African Americans.

I hope that Daniels will not end up alienating key Democratic constituencies with his support of a major guest worker program.