Report: Bush using immigration for votes

WASHINGTON, July 24 (UPI) -- A Bush administration plan to court Hispanic voters for the 2006 elections will attempt to relax immigration policies, a published report said.

Strategists told the Los Angeles Times that the plan will attempt to bring Hispanic businesses and immigration advocates into the Republican fold while marginalizing hard-liners in the party.

The Americans for Border and Economic Security is a public relations campaign led by former Republican National Committee chairman turned lobbyist Ed Gillespie and former Democratic Congressman Cal Dooley and former Republican Congressman Dick Armey.

Republican strategists worry that tough anti-immigration talk by some in the party is undermining efforts to increase Hispanic membership.