Bush immigration bill lacks GOP support

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. President Bush's immigration plan lacks House GOP support reportedly because most feel a secure border must come first.

House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., says Bush is obviously serious about enforcing border control. But, he says Republican leaders believe that to go ahead first with a guest-worker program or a path to citizenship for illegal aliens would be premature. He says he gets the same message during campaign stops.

"The first thing we have to do is protect the borders," Hastert told the Washington Times.

Both House and Senate have passed immigration bills which, among other things, would call for a protective border fence and crack down on employers who hire illegal aliens.