Washington - President George Bush is considering granting legal status to three million Mexicans living illegally in the US, one of a series of options being presented to him in a high level report on the problem of illegal immigration, writes Patrick Smyth. The report, which is said not to make recommendations, was produced by a joint US-Mexican working group headed by the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, the Attorney General, Mr John Ashcroft, and their Mexican counterparts, Mr Jorge Castaneda, and Mr Santiago Creel. It was presented to Mr Bush last night.
The President's spokesman, Mr Ari Fleischer, said Mr Bush wants to send "a welcoming signal, that people from Mexico, and other nations, should feel welcome in the United States".
The Hispanic vote is a key target vote for Republicans.