MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bush praises Mexican contribution to US society

United States president George W. Bush said again that the problem of illegal immigration can only be solved through a combination of tighter border security and a guest-worker program, but also stressed that immigrants have a duty to integrate into American society.

"Immigration reform needs to be comprehensive because all elements of this problem must be addressed together, or none of them will be solved at all," Bush told close to 100 people invited to the White House's celebration of Cinco de Mayo (May the 5th), a national holiday in Mexico that commemorates the Mexican army's victory in 1862 over invading French forces in the Battle of Puebla.

During the celebration, which included the participation of figures from the Mexican-American community such as ranchera singer Graciela Beltran and Los Angeles broadcaster Eddie Sotelo, known as "El Piolin" ("the little string of the morning"), Bush praised the contribution of Mexicans - and Hispanics in general - to the country's economic and cultural fabric. The president made special mention of the more than 600,000 U.S. military veterans of Mexican descent.

Interrupted by applause on several occasions, Bush said it was important for the immigration debate - which has aroused great passion both among those who support the legalization of undocumented foreigners' status and those who favour punitive measures and even deportation of illegal immigrants - be conducted with "dignity."

Bush also stressed that the granting of American citizenship is a "great privilege" that brings with it great responsibility.

"Those who come here to start new lives in our country have a responsibility to understand what America is about, and the responsibility to learn the English language so they can better understand our national character and participate fully in American life," the president said.

Bush, who has been criticized for not investing more political capital in the immigration debate, again urged Congress to pass comprehensive immigration-reform legislation and said it is possible for the US to be both a compassionate and lawful society.

The president expressed support for a Senate proposal that would put millions of undocumented foreigners on a track toward citizenship and he also favours a guest worker program. Bush also backs efforts to strengthen border security, but has said building a wall stretching across the entire 2,000-mile frontier with Mexico is unfeasible.

Many conservatives, however, disagree with Bush on immigration reform and back a bill passed by the House of Representatives last December that would authorize construction of the border fence and make illegal immigration a felony.

That bill will have to be reconciled with what is sure to be a more moderate measure that eventually emerges from the Senate.