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butterbean · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 2271

WASHINGTON — President Bush on Thursday signed into law a border security bill, touching off a debate over whether the timing — 12 days before the midterm elections — was politically motivated and whether the measure will be effective.

Some GOP lawmakers, called the legislation, which authorizes securing 700 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, a step toward stemming the flow of illegal immigrants. Democrats called it a publicity stunt aimed at making GOP candidates look tough on immigration.

Bush called it a start on a much larger task.

"We have more to do," he said at the White House signing ceremony. "Meaningful immigration reform means that we must enforce our immigration laws in the United States."

Though referred to as the "fence bill," the measure actually gives the Department of Homeland Security leeway to determine how best to secure the border. Among the options are two-layered fencing in several key areas, as well as more cameras, ground sensors, lighting and unmanned aerial vehicles.

A separate measure, previously signed by the president, included $1.2 billion to pay for fencing, barriers and other infrastructure. But estimates of the cost for the 700 miles of fencing range from $2 billion to $7 billion, and many lawmakers and immigrant advocates doubt the project will ever be fully funded.

At the bill-signing ceremony, Bush renewed his call for a temporary worker program, a concept approved in the Senate but blocked by House Republicans who liken it to amnesty for illegal immigrants.

"Willing workers ought to be matched with willing employers to do jobs Americans are not doing, on a temporary basis," Bush said. "We must face the reality that millions of illegal immigrants are already here."

He said he would work with Congress to reach a "middle ground" between "granting an automatic path to citizenship for every illegal immigrant and a program of mass deportation."

Republican hard-liners indicated there may be no middle ground.

"Far be it from me to criticize an obsession," said Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, "but President Bush's unhelpful fixation in giving amnesty to 12 million illegal aliens has done nothing to help us in this debate."

In addition to the intra-party skirmish, Bush took flak Thursday from Democrats, who called the bill a "political stunt designed to cater to the far-right-wing base" of the GOP as the election nears.

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http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/10/26/1027natimmig.html