House Republicans sidestep White House request for guest worker program

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 workers.

It also is expected to increase fines for those found guilty of human trafficking.

"This proposal will focus on preventing illegal immigration by bolstering our border security efforts and beginning a serious interior immigration enforcement effort," Sensenbrenner said in a statement.

Sensenbrenner said that although he supports a guest worker program, his bill does not include one, citing the lack of consensus on such a plan.

"Lawmakers must avoid trying to address more than can be handled so that the entire legislative effort does not fall under its own weight," he said.

The bill will merge with Homeland Security Committee legislation already adopted that would require the Homeland Security and Defense departments to develop a plan for increasing border surveillance, end the "catch and release" system for illegal immigrants and increase the number of U.S. Border Patrol agents.

During a markup session tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Sensenbrenner's bill likely will serve as a target for other border-security and enforcement proposals.

As the issue of immigration has gained momentum, many lawmakers have introduced bills targeting enforcement and security. Proposals range from a plan by House Rules Chairman David Dreier, R-Calif., to make Social Security cards tamper proof to a plan by Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Ga., that would allow local law enforcement officials to enforce immigration laws, something now the exclusive purview of federal agents.

A Dreier spokeswoman said the Social Security provision is not likely to wind up in the Sensenbrenner bill, since the Ways and Means Committee -- which has jurisdiction over the Social Security program -- would have to consider it first. "We understand that Ways and Means will be taking a closer look at it," the spokeswoman said.

Although it is likely the House will leave town for the holidays after passing a bill that does not include the administration's guest worker program, some advocates predict the White House might eventually prevail upon the Senate to include such a program in its immigration legislation to be adopted in a potential House-Senate conference.

Tamar Jacoby, a senior fellow with the Manhattan Institute, said even if the House does not adopt a comprehensive bill, the administration is still laying the groundwork to get what it wants. "They've set up a complicated bank shot," she said.

The Senate is holding off on taking up immigration legislation until after the holiday recess, but it has been more receptive to the idea of a comprehensive bill.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., has circulated a proposal that cribs from various Senate plans, including provisions similar to those in a bill introduced by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., that would require guest workers to return to their home countries before applying for citizenship.

A competing bill by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., would not require guest workers to return to their countries as part of the path to permanent residency.

Some have likened the president's call for immigration overhaul to his call last year for changes in the Social Security program, which went nowhere with lawmakers or the public.

Opponents of the guest worker plan find parallels with the Social Security situation, with lawmakers brushing aside the president's request to take on the politically difficult legislation.

And with the president's approval ratings low, his currency on Capitol Hill is lower than ever, some observers note.

"A while ago, Bush's speech [endorsing the guest worker plan] would have given some Republicans cover," one lobbyist said. "Now that's not the case."