http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=78794§ion=LOCAL&subsection=LOCAL&year=2004&month=1&day=31IRVINE – A top Homeland Security official called President George W. Bush's immigration-reform plan "bold and visionary," saying that far from being a self-serving, vote-grabbing move, it is really a risky venture.
Citizenship chief Alfonso Aguilar said Friday during a visit to Orange County that the president's immigration proposals acknowledge the hard work of illegal immigrants. He added that it is a plan that should be applauded, not condemned.
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"It brings immigrants out of the shadows. It shows them and their intentions for staying here," Aguilar said. "And finally it's compassionate, it helps them by regularizing their status. Many of them are being exploited with low wages. That way we guarantee them labor security."