State of The Union Address Includes Immigration Reform
Posted Jan 23, 2004

President George W. Bush gave his televised State of the Union Address to Congress on January 20, 2004. Though the first part of his speech focused on homeland security and requesting extensions of expiring Patriot Act provisions, he also used the address as an opportunity to reiterate his immigration reform plan. The President stated that immigration reform would reflect our Nation’s values and benefit the economy. He added that the temporary worker program, under his proposal, would preserve the citizenship path for those who respect the law.

After the State of the Union Address, the Democrats presented a response. Their response did not include a reference to immigration reform, though they notably opposed giving tax cuts to companies that are sending jobs offshore. Those responding for the Democrats were not candidates seeking their party's nomination for the presidency. All major presidential contenders in the Democratic race, John Kerry, John Edwards, Howard Dean, Joseph Lieberman, and General Wesley Clark, support some type of immigration reform. As with the President's plan, however, no immigration reform can be implemented without Congressional legislation supported by the President.

As with the January 7, 2004 announcement from the President on proposed immigration reform, the State of the Union Address does not carry the force of law. While it is a positive sign that the President continues to push an immigration reform agenda, we must still wait to see if any positive laws will be enacted as a result of his plan.