Is a guest-worker program for illegal immigrants a good idea? President Bush has proposed an overhaul, of U.S. immigration policy. If enacted, it would affect millions of people.

YES President Bush's plan to create a guest-worker program shows compassion and vision, and would have the added benefit of helping our economy.

The President's proposal would let millions of illegal immigrants apply for three-year renewable work visas. For our economy to continue to grow, we need workers who will take all the jobs being created, especially the backbreaking jobs many Americans refuse to consider. Our immigration and visa policies must ensure that employers are able to fill jobs with willing workers.

At the same time, by giving immigrants legal status, the President's plan would prevent unscrupulous employers from taking advantage of immigrants, making sure they are paid legal wages and work in humane conditions.

The President's plan would also increase our security by bringing illegal immigrants out of the underground economy and registering them with the government. This would give the Department of Homeland Security the ability to determine whether an individual immigrant poses a threat to our national security or is just seeking the American Dream. Without such a program, we will never be able to know who is in the country.

The United States is a nation of immigrants. The President's plan recognizes their positive contributions to our country, and that immigrants often take jobs that Americans refuse. Immigrants should be commended for their hard work and not discriminated against or exploited.

--Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart

Republican of Florida

21st District

NO In the United States today there are between 8 and 14 million people who broke our laws to get into our country, or are breaking our laws by staying here.

Despite the President's constitutional obligation to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed," President Bush refuses to enforce our immigration laws. He has failed to defend our borders. He refuses to send illegal immigrants back home as the law commands. He refuses to punish businesses that hire illegal immigrants, while 9 million Americans are out of work.

President Bush says the immigration laws are irrational. But many young people say the same thing about our drug laws. And just as students cannot pick and choose which laws they will obey, Presidents cannot pick and choose which laws they will enforce.

The President is afraid that if he enforces the law he will lose the votes of Hispanic-Americans. So, he has, in effect, proposed an amnesty for the lawbreakers.

Why is this not a good idea? First, it would reward massive lawbreaking. Second, it would say to people all over the world that there is no penalty for breaking into the United States. Third, it would be unfair to those people who have waited for years to come here legally to become American citizens.

President Truman once said the presidency is pre-eminently a place of moral leadership. President Bush should show moral leadership by doing his duty and enforcing our laws, even as he seeks to change them.

--Pat Buchanan

Former White House senior staffer and three-time presidential candidate