SERGIO BUSTOS
Citizen Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - The question of what to do about millions of illegal immigrants is causing a rift among Republicans days before the party's convention begins in New York. Party conservatives are angry that the GOP's influential platform committee, which decides the party's principles and priorities, is endorsing President Bush's plan to create a nationwide temporary foreign worker program.

The proposal, outlined by Bush in January, would legalize the country's 8 million to 10 million illegal immigrants.

Conservatives view the proposal as an amnesty program that essentially rewards illegal immigrants for breaking the law. They have pledged to fight it at the convention.

Leading the charge is GOP Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, whose opposition to the president's plan has drawn national attention.

"The Republican Party platform on immigration smacks of doublespeak and goes against everything the American people believe should happen with our immigration policy," Tancredo said. "Amnesty is not an option."

A final draft of the GOP's position on immigration will be presented to convention delegates Monday.

The draft states the party opposes amnesty "because it would have the effect of encouraging illegal immigration and would give an unfair advantage to those who have broken our laws."

But it approves Bush's plan to "allow workers who currently hold jobs to come out of the shadows and to participate legally in America's economy."

Bush wants to create an ambitious national guest-worker program that would match willing foreign workers with U.S. employers.

Immigrants who prove they have a job would be given renewable three-year visas but would have to return home when the visa expires.

"The Republican Party supports reforming the immigration system to make it more legal, safe, orderly and humane," the draft said.

During discussion Wednesday, Bonnie Weber, a delegate from Reno, Nev., asked: "How do we make something 'more legal?' "

U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart of Pennsylvania, who co-chairs the platform committee, said, "Our goal is to make sure that people who come to the United States come here legally."

That didn't satisfy Weber or other delegates. "Illegal is illegal," Weber told Hart.