US PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH WEDNESDAY CALLED ON THE US SENATE TO FIND A WAY TO AGREE ON COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM, ACCORDING TO DPA. THE SENATE HAS BEEN DEBATING THE ISSUE SINCE LAST WEEK BUT HAS SO FAR BEEN UNABLE TO REACH A COMPROMISE ON KEY ISSUES. THE DEBATE HAS DIVIDED SENATORS FROM BUSH'S OWN REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE CHAMBER. 'THIS IS VITAL DEBATE,' BUSH SAID. 'I STRONGLY URGE (LAWMAKERS) TO COME TO A CONCLUSION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND PASS A COMPREHENSIVE BILL.' THE PRESIDENT HAS CALLED FOR LEGISLATION THAT STRENGTHENS US BORDERS AND PROVIDES A GUEST WORKER PROGRAMME. BUSH IS OPPOSED TO ANY BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE AMNESTY TO THE ESTIMATED 11 MILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS THAT ARE IN THE COUNTRY. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS ALREADY PASSED AN IMMIGRATION BILL THAT FOCUSES ON BORDER SECURITY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE A GUEST WORKER PROGRAMME. THE SENATE IS DEBATING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD INCLUDE SUCH A PROGRAMME AND ALSO WOULD ALLOW IMMIGRANTS TO STAY IN THE COUNTRY IF THEY PAY A FINE, BACK TAXES, PASS A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND LEARN ENGLISH. --SP 23 22 LOCAL TIME 20 22 GMT
