George Bush hopes that Republican and Democratic senators will work together to make the country’s immigration system fairer and more “dignified”.

The Senate will meet to address the issue this week and the president hopes that bipartisan cooperation will deliver reforms that make it easier for foreign nationals to live and work in the USA.

“Democrats and Republicans agree that our current immigration system is in need of reform,” Bush said in his weekly radio address on Saturday.

“And we agree that we need a system that treats people with dignity and helps newcomers assimilate into our society.”

One of the key issues that lawmakers will discuss is the number of H1B visas distributed to skilled foreign workers, since the system has been consistently oversubscribed.

The president has highlighted five pivotal areas in need of reform. These include increased employer accountability and the creation of a programme through which ‘aliens’ can swiftly attain a legal status and work in the USA on a temporary basis.

“We will show the world that America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time,” Bush announced.