Bush to push for immigration reform: Report

"Obviously, we're going to have to work on it, just like Social Security. This will require the expenditure of capital," Bush said in an interview with The Washington Times.

"I think it's high. I think it's a big issue," Bush said when asked where his proposal ranks among the issues he plans to tackle during his second term.

Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are split on whether to ease or tighten immigration restrictions.

A showdown is brewing over Bush's proposed "guest worker" programme, which would provide temporary visas to workers from Mexico and other countries.