President Bush this week will continue to try to drum up support for his stalled immigration reform bill. But the president seems to have some support in Indiana.
Chicago Public Radio’s Michael Puente reports.
U.S. Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana supports the president’s efforts to revamp the nation’s immigration laws.
But, that isn’t sitting well with Lugar’s core constituents.
If a deal cannot be worked out, Lugar says the challenges that come with having 12 million undocumented residents will continue.
LUGAR: “These problems are not going to go away. And, so although lots of calls come to our office opposing even the idea of having an immigration bill, we’ve tried to reason, we really do need to do this for our good country, for the good of a lot of people who are involved in really tough pursuits.”
Lugar also says the word amnesty is being used to stir up emotions.
He says that’s an inaccurate portrayal of the bill since it does include penalties for those here illegally.
I’m Michael Puente. Chicago Public Radio.