PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL GEORGE W. BUSH RUNS INTO PROBLEMS ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES

George W. Bush, the governor of Texas and the leading Republican presidential hopeful, made a series of statements about the costs of illegal immigration, and then was forced to withdraw those statements after critics expressed shock and surprise. During an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Bush said he did not think the federal government should reimburse states for the costs associated with undocumented migration, a position from which he has now backed away.

The campaign explained the retraction with this statement: "Governor Bush misunderstood the reporter’s questions about reimbursing states for all the costs of illegal immigration. He thought the questions was about whether the federal government should reimburse for costs of education funding." At least two other Republican candidates have seized on the incident, saying it raises questions about Bush’s ability to handle tough political issues. Steve Forbes’ campaign communications director criticized the Bush camp for an inability to reach an understanding of where they stand on key issues. John McCain said if there was one issue people on all sides of the immigration issue can agree on, it is that the federal government should reimburse the states for costs associated with illegal immigration.

As governor of Texas, Bush inherited and supported a lawsuit that sought reimbursement from the federal government for costs associated with illegal immigration. The federal government does provide some reimbursement to the states, particularly for costs of imprisoning and detaining undocumented immigrants. Education, however, has traditionally been a matter for the states, and Republicans have long been opposed to federal government involvement in education.

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