But the Bush camp's defense of Linda Chavez shifted as advisers worked to learn more facts and whether she was forthcoming. President-elect Bush was standing behind his embattled pick for labor secretary amid revelations that she housed and provided money to an illegal immigrant. But the Bush camp's defense of Linda Chavez shifted as advisers worked to learn more facts and whether she was forthcoming. A Bush spokesman on Monday declined to say whether the Guatemalan immigrant, Marta Mercado, had been paid to do household chores for Chavez nearly a decade ago. A day earlier, another Bush spokesman denied Chavez ever employed the woman.
Federal law prohibits hiring illegal immigrants.
And while Bush's camp insisted Chavez didn't know Mercado was in the country illegally, Mercado said just the opposite in an interview. She knew I didn't have my green card. She added that Chavez offered once or twice to help her gain legal status. She knew it later. I cannot tell you how long later.