On January 7, 2004, President Bush proposed a Temporary Worker

Program. This is just a proposal. It is not a new law.

Before President Bush’s proposal can become law, it must be

passed by both houses of Congress. This means that it may, or may

not happen. It also means that if it happens, it will almost

certainly not be what has been reported in the newspapers,

television, or radio.

Bush’s proposal is not an amnesty like the one in the 1980s. In

other words, Bush’s proposal will not get you a green card simply

by applying for it. Under Bush’s proposal, you would only be given

an opportunity to be sponsored by an employer in the United States.

Before that employer can sponsor you, the employer must prove that

it is unable to find qualified and available US workers for the

position, by advertising the position in newspapers and on the

internet. If the employer finds US workers for the position, the US

employer will not be able to sponsor you.

Because Bush’s proposal is just a proposal, it has no effect

on any immigration case you may currently be pursuing.

Should Bush’s proposal become law, it will almost certainly

require that applicants prove that they were living in the United

States as of the date it becomes law. We therefore advise that you

keep copies of your rent, utilities, and other receipts showing

that you are living in the United States, and that you also keep

copies of your pay stubs to show that you are working in the

US.