Presidential candidate John Kerry promised full amnesty for illegal aliens if they manage to stay in the country five years. The Arizona Republic reported that Kerry proposed "earned legalization" in a speech to a "highly partisan" audience of more than 4,000 members of the National Council of La Raza. Under Kerry's "earned legalization" plan, immigrants would qualify for legal residency after five years in this country and close screening for security purposes. In contrast, President Bush's plan for immigration reform would not give unlawful border crossers a chance to become citizens without returning first to their home countries. Kerry also said he would allow a limited number of temporary workers into the country to work under the protections of labor laws - including wage standards - that apply to U.S. citizens.
