Bush may remove secretary before inauguration

Linda Chavez's future as George W Bush's labour secretary is in doubt because of an illegal immigrant.

Advisers are reviewing when Ms Chavez knew that a Guatemalan woman who lived in her house was in the US illegally, a Bush spokesman said.

The woman, Marta Mercado, said she told Linda Chavez she was an illegal alien while living with her in the early 1990s, although Ms Chavez has said she didn't find out until after Ms Mercado returned to Guatemala.

Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer said the Bush transition team was awaiting the outcome of an FBI investigation on Ms Chavez.

Pressed on whether the Bush camp now doubted Ms Chavez's account, Mr Fleischer added, "The timeframe is just not clear of exactly when that information came to her attention."

On Monday, Mr Bush had said he had confidence in Ms Chavez, believed she would be a good labour secretary and that she would be confirmed by the Senate despite questions about her Guatemalan guest.

Mr Fleischer didn't repeat such statements today, however.

Officials close to Mr Bush were increasingly concerned about Ms Chavez, saying privately that an internal review and FBI interviews had raised questions about her credibility.