WASHINGTON -- The immigration-reform plan working its way through Congress "has a chance to pass," former President George W. Bush said.

"It's very important to fix a broken system, to treat people with respect, and have confidence in our capacity to assimilate people," Bush said in an interview on ABC's "This Week" that aired yesterday.

"It's a very difficult bill to pass because there is a lot of moving parts, and the legislative process can be ugly. But it looks like they're making progress."

He added, "Good policy yields good politics, as far as I'm concerned."

The Senate passed immigration overhaul legislation last month on a 68-32 vote.

The plan would create a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants.

House Republicans, who make up the majority in that chamber, are expected to meet Wednesday on the matter after a weeklong July Fourth recess. Many of them oppose the Senate's citizenship provisions.

-- Bloomberg News

From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp, Kendall Rodriguez, Drew Singh; Anthony Florio, Randee Daddona, Morgan Campbell, Debbie Egan-Chin

Get ready for sun and fun with NewsdayTV's summer FunBook special! From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.

From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp, Kendall Rodriguez, Drew Singh; Anthony Florio, Randee Daddona, Morgan Campbell, Debbie Egan-Chin

Get ready for sun and fun with NewsdayTV's summer FunBook special! From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.

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