WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush Wednesday proposed a new guest worker program to help slow illegal immigration and meet the nation's economic needs.
The White House said the proposal, to be announced mid-afternoon, features three-year renewable worker visas for specific jobs unfilled by U.S. workers. Illegal aliens already in the country would be eligible to apply.
Those illegals -- an estimated 8 million people -- would be deemed as fulfilling the need by virtue of their current employment and would not be liable for deportation when they come forward to register.
Their current employers also would face no sanctions.
The foreign workers would have to be paid at least the legal minimum wage and would be eligible for normal worker benefits and protections. Special savings accounts would be established for them to provide a nest egg when they return to their home countries.
The maximum number of times a worker can renew his visa is still to be decided, the White House said.
