The nation's 32 million Hispanics are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population. They are expected to cast 5.4 percent of November's vote. Their growing political strength, especially in the key states of California, Texas, New York and Florida, makes them a top target for both major political parties. Vice President Gore is scheduled to speak to the LULAC convention Friday.
Bush's outreach to Hispanic voters has been a hallmark of his political career in Texas. It illustrates his effort to project "compassionate conservatism," a stance that broadens his political appeal beyond that of such Republicans as former California Gov. Pete Wilson, whose strident opposition to Mexican immigrants alienated them from the GOP.
LULAC, which claims 115,000 members, is the nation's oldest and largest Hispanic group. Bush beat his rival to the punch with a speech peppered with Spanish and praise for Hispanic culture.
"Texas is a better place for the Hispanic influence," Bush said. "Family values don't stop at the Rio Grande river. People are coming to America because they are moms and dads trying to feed their children. As long as people are coming to feed their families, our country must be mindful that they're human beings as well."
Splitting the INS would let one agency focus on law enforcement while the other concentrated on service to legal immigrants and foreign visitors, Bush said.
"People ought to be asking the question 'How can I help you, what can I do to help you fill out paperwork?' We ought to be saying loud and clear to people that the INS is [here] to help families and to help people understand the maze of rules and regulations," he said.
Bush received a standing ovation.
His Democratic rival criticized his proposal, as did anti-immigration groups, for different reasons.
