The White House's draft plan, leaked last week, calls for a new ''Z'' visa that would allow illegal immigrant workers to apply for three-year work permits. They would be renewable indefinitely, but would cost $3,500 each time.

Then to become legal permanent residents, illegal immigrants would have to return to their home country, apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate to re-enter legally and pay a $10,000 fine.

The proposal has been sharply criticized by Hispanic advocacy groups, Democrats, the Roman Catholic Church and unions that have many immigrants in their ranks. They argue the cost of work permits and the green card application -- which could total more than $20,000 -- are prohibitive for low-wage earners.

As one of the undocumented interviewed in the article says:

'For my wife and I it would cost about $30,000,'' said Francisco Gomez, 41, who along with his wife is in the country illegally. ''Multiply that by all the illegal immigrants here ... It's obvious Bush just wants to fund his Iraq war with our money.''

Another says:

'We have no way to come up with that much money, and Bush knows that,'' she said. ''He is doing this on purpose so we don't ever become legal residents.'

I'm not surprised. Anyone who thinks Bush is on their side is mistaken. The only side he's on is his own. He's never been truthful about the War in Iraq, what makes you think he'd be truthful on his party's war against the undocumented?