President George W. Bush's address May 15 on immigration reform got mixed reviews from advocates for immigrants, who expressed gratitude for his support of legalization for illegal immigrants but had concerns about his plan to deploy National Guard troops on the border.

Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of San Bernardino, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Domestic Policy, said he welcomed the president's speech on the need to reform the immigration system, but expressed concern about "the introduction of military personnel because there has not been an adequate public discussion about its implications, especially for the treatment of migrants."

In his first such nationwide address on a domestic policy matter, Bush gave his most explicit support to date for a program that would provide a way for most of the estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the country to legalize their status. He proposed requiring them to pay a fine and back taxes, learn English and hold a job for an undefined set number of years to be allowed to stay in the country.

Much of the president's speech focused on border enforcement. He said up to 6,000 members of the National Guard would be sent to the border states of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, where they would assist the Border Patrol in jobs such as intelligence analysis, installation of fences and barriers, building roads and providing training.

"It also must include comprehensive reform of our nation's immigration laws which features an opportunity to earn citizenship for the undocumented in our country and the creation of legal avenues for migration for migrants to work and join families in a safe, orderly, and humane manner," the bishop said.

"We are hopeful that the president also will commit himself to these elements as part of a comprehensive immigration reform bill," he added.

The bishop said immigration is an issue of "urgent national priority." He said the U.S. bishops for several years "have urged our elected officials to address our nation's immigration crisis in a just, humane and comprehensive manner."

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., co-author of an immigration bill approved this spring by the Senate Judiciary Committee but still awaiting final resolution, said in a statement that he is concerned that "the urgent work of immigration reform is not sidetracked by the president's proposal to use the National Guard at the border."

Kennedy said Bush's leadership "is essential as we fight to fix our broken system once and for all."

In a statement, Father Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, said he was encouraged by Bush's speech on immigration reform.

"We are pleased to see President Bush put the power of the presidency behind the need for comprehensive reforms of our nation's immigration laws, and we are hopeful that this push by the White House will move Congress forward towards necessary reforms," said Father Snyder. "We also remain very concerned about the plight of those families who leave their homes and cross the border in search of a better life here in the United States."

Father Snyder added that CRS was encouraged by the Senate's declared intention efforts to pass a bipartisan immigration reform bill this month. His sentiments were echoed by Cardinal Roger Mahony.

"I commend both Majority Leader Bill Frist and Minority Leader Harry Reid to proceed with consideration of comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the U.S. Senate, for working through their differences and for showing leadership on this important issue" the cardinal said May 11. "I urge that the debate be conducted in a civil and respectful manner which avoids harsh rhetoric against immigrants."

Cardinal Mahony asked Senators to oppose amendments which would weaken the legalization provisions of the compromise legislation, "particularly provisions which provide a path to citizenship for the undocumented in our country. I ask that Senators support amendments which help ameliorate harsh enforcement provisions contained in Title II of the legislation."

---CNS