Feds to revise immigration plan

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. labor, business and farm groups have convinced the White House to revise a planned crackdown on firms employing illegal immigrants.

The Bush administration has agreed to make unspecified changes to its plan to pressure employers to fire as many as 8.7 million workers with suspect Social Security numbers, The Washington Post reported Sunday.

The Bush administration Friday asked a federal judge in San Francisco to delay hearing a lawsuit brought by labor, business and agriculture until the revised plan is ready.

Those who brought the suit are not convinced, however, their objections will be met, including reducing the enormous cost of the plan to small businesses, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President Randel K. Johnson said.

"I hope they give the employer community adequate time to comment and do not just jam it through during the holidays," Johnson said, "particularly given that this regulation covers all industries, across all sectors of the

economy."