President Bush Discussed His Vision for Immigration Reform

1. The United States Must Secure Its Borders

· Since President Bush took office, he increased funding for border security by 66%

· And expanded the border patrol from about 9,000 to 12,000 agents.

a. By the end of 2008, increase the number of border patrol officers by an Additional 6,000.

b. construct high-tech fences in urban corridors

c. build new patrol roads and barriers in rural areas

d. employ motion sensors, infrared cameras, and unmanned aerial vehicles

e. until new border agents are trained - deploy up to 6,000 National Guard members for one year. The United States is not going to militarize the Southern border.

f. increase federal funding for state and local authorities assisting the border patrol and will give them specialized training

2. Deporting Illegal Immigrants

a. end "Catch And Release,"

b. continue expanding the number of beds in detention facilities

c. continue cutting the average deportation time.

d. make it clear to foreign governments that they must accept back their citizens who violate our immigration laws

3. Create A Temporary Worker Program

a. create a legal path for foreign workers to enter our country for a limited period of time.

b. for jobs Americans are not doing

c. Every worker would be required to pass criminal background checks, and temporary workers must return to home at the conclusion of their stay.

4. Hold Employers to Account for the Workers They Hire

a. better system for verifying documents

b. a new Identification Card for every legal foreign (biometric technology)

5. We Must Deal With Illegal Immigrants Already Here

a. no amnesty (automatic citizenship)

b. There are differences between an illegal immigrant who crossed the border recently and someone who has worked here for many years, and has a home, a family, and an otherwise clean record.

c. meaningful penalty

d. need to learn English and work for a number of years should be able to apply for citizenship

e. Those who meet our conditions should be able to apply for citizenship, and they will have to wait in line behind those who played by the rules and followed the law.

6. We Must Honor the Great American Tradition of the Melting Pot

a. newcomers need to assimilate - shared ideals

b. speak and write the English language.

The House and Senate Must Pass A Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill

All Elements Of This Problem Must Be Addressed Together. The House has passed an immigration bill. The Senate should act by the end of this month so that the House and Senate can work out their differences and send the President a comprehensive bill to sign.

America Needs To Conduct This Debate In A Reasoned And Respectful Tone. Feelings run deep on this issue and as we work it out, all of us need to keep some things in mind. We cannot build a unified country by inciting people to anger, or playing on anyone's fears, or exploiting the issue of immigration for political gain. We must always remember that real lives will be affected by our debates and decisions, and that every human being has dignity and value no matter what their citizenship papers say.