Fact Sheet: Overview: Comprehensive Immigration Reform

White House Press Office ^ | 5-16-06

[SJackson]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 15, 2006

Fact Sheet: Overview: Comprehensive Immigration Reform

      President Bush Addresses the Nation on Immigration Reform
      In Focus: Immigration

Tonight, President Bush Discussed His Vision For Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The five clear objectives of comprehensive immigration reform are securing our borders, creating a temporary worker program, making it easier for employers to verify employment eligibility and continuing to hold them to account for the legal status of workers they hire, dealing with the millions of illegal immigrants who are already here, and honoring the great American tradition of the melting pot.

• The President Believes America Can Be A Lawful Society And A Welcoming Society At The Same Time. We will fix the problem of illegal immigration, and we will deliver a system that is secure, orderly, and fair.

1. The United States Must Secure Its Borders

Securing Our Borders Is The Basic Responsibility Of A Sovereign Nation And An Urgent Requirement Of Our National Security. President Bush's proposals to better secure our borders include increasing the number of Border Patrol agents, ending the practice of "catch and release" along the southern border, eliminating bureaucratic obstacles to returning illegal immigrants to their home countries, and sending National Guard members to the border for temporary assignment to assist the Border Patrol during the transition as new Border Patrol agents are added and new technology comes online.

Since President Bush Took Office, We Have Increased Funding For Border Security By 66 Percent And Expanded The Border Patrol From About 9,000 To 12,000 Agents. Over the past five years, we have apprehended and sent home more than 6 million people entering America illegally.

By The End Of 2008, We Will Have Increased The Number Of Border Patrol Officers By An Additional 6,000. When these new agents are deployed, we will have more than doubled the size of the Border Patrol during the President's Administration.

We Launched The Secure Border Initiative, The Most Technologically Advanced Border Enforcement Initiative In American History. We will construct high-tech fences in urban corridors and build new patrol roads and barriers in rural areas. We will employ motion sensors, infrared cameras, and unmanned aerial vehicles to detect and respond to illegal crossings.

The President's Plan To Increase Border Security Will Take Time To Fully Implement, So The President Is Announcing Several Immediate Steps To Strengthen Border Enforcement During This Transition:

• In Coordination With Governors, Up To 6,000 National Guard Members Will Be Sent To Our Southern Border. The Department of Homeland Security, and specifically the Border Patrol, will remain in the lead. The Guard, which will be deployed in shifts, will assist the Border Patrol by operating surveillance systems, analyzing intelligence, installing fences and vehicle barriers, building patrol roads, and providing training. Guard units will not be involved in direct law enforcement activities -- that duty will be done by the Border Patrol.

  • This Initial Commitment Of Guard Members Would Last For One Year. After that, the number of Guard forces will be reduced as new Border Patrol agents are added and new technologies come online. These 6,000 troops account for less than 2 percent of the total National Guard force of more than 440,000. We have enough National Guard members to secure our border while continuing to respond to natural disasters and to win the War on Terror.

  • The United States Is Not Going To Militarize The Southern Border. Mexico is our neighbor and friend. We will continue to work cooperatively to improve security on both sides of the border, confront common problems like drug trafficking and crime, and reduce illegal immigration.

• We Will Increase Federal Funding For State And Local Authorities Assisting The Border Patrol On Targeted Enforcement Missions, And We Will Give Them The Specialized Training They Need To Help The Border Patrol And Other Federal Officers Apprehend And Detain Illegal Immigrants.

We Will Work To Ensure That Every Illegal Immigrant We Catch Crossing Our Southern Border Is Returned Home By Ending The Practice Of "Catch And Release." For many years, the government did not have enough space in our detention facilities to hold illegal immigrants while the legal process unfolded. Most were released back into society and asked to return for a court date, but did not show up when the date arrived.

• To End "Catch And Release," We Will Continue Expanding The Number Of Beds In Our Detention Facilities And Continue Expediting The Removal Process To Cut The Average Deportation Time. We are making it clear to foreign governments that they must accept back their citizens who violate our immigration laws. As a result of these actions, we have ended catch and release for illegal immigrants from some countries. The President will ask Congress for additional funding and legal authority to permanently end catch and release at the southern border once and for all.

2. To Secure Our Border, We Must Create A Temporary Worker Program

President Bush Supports A Temporary Worker Program That Would Create A Legal Path For Foreign Workers To Enter Our Country In An Orderly Way, For A Limited Period Of Time. This program would match willing foreign workers with willing American employers for jobs Americans are not doing. Every worker who applies for the program would be required to pass criminal background checks, and temporary workers must return to their home country at the conclusion of their stay.

• A Temporary Worker Program Would Meet The Needs Of Our Economy, Ease The Financial Burden On State And Local Governments, And Add To Our Security. A temporary worker program would give honest immigrants a way to provide for their families while respecting the law, would replace illegal workers with lawful taxpayers, and would enable us to make certain we know who is in our country and why they are here.

3. We Need To Hold Employers To Account For The Workers They Hire

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Must Include A Tamper-Resistant Identification Card For Every Legal Foreign Worker So Businesses Can Verify The Legal Status Of Their Employees. This card should use biometric technology, such as digital fingerprints, to make it tamper-proof. This would leave employers with no excuse for violating the law, and it would help us enforce the law.

4. We Must Deal With The Millions Of Illegal Immigrants Already Here

The President Opposes Amnesty. President Bush opposes giving illegal immigrants an automatic path to citizenship because it would be unfair to those who are here lawfully, would compromise the rule of law, and would invite further waves of illegal immigration. The President supports increasing the annual number of green cards that can lead to citizenship, but for the sake of justice and security, the President is firmly opposed to amnesty.

President Bush Believes That Deporting Every Illegal Immigrant Is Neither Wise Nor Realistic. There is a rational middle ground between granting an automatic path to citizenship for every illegal immigrant and a program of mass deportation.

President Bush Believes Illegal Immigrants Who Want To Stay Should Have To Pay A Meaningful Penalty For Breaking The Law, Pay Their Taxes, Learn English, And Work In A Job For A Number Of Years. The President also believes that 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. Those who meet our conditions should be able to apply for citizenship but approval will not be automatic, and they will have to wait in line behind those who played by the rules and followed the law.

5. We Must Honor The Great American Tradition Of The Melting Pot

The Success Of Our Country Depends Upon Helping Newcomers Assimilate Into Our Society And Embrace Our Common Identity As Americans. Americans are bound together by our shared ideals, an appreciation of our history, respect for the flag we fly, and an ability to 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.

[SJackson]

For those who wish to compare

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 7, 2004

Fact Sheet: Fair and Secure Immigration Reform

     

Today's Presidential Action

• Today, President Bush proposed a new temporary worker program to match willing foreign workers with willing U.S. employers when no Americans can be found to fill the jobs. The program would be open to new foreign workers, and to the undocumented men and women currently employed in the U.S. This new program would allow workers who currently hold jobs to come out of hiding and participate legally in America's economy while not encouraging further illegal behavior.
• President Bush also asked Congress to work with him to achieve significant immigration reform that protects the homeland by controlling the borders; serves America's economy by matching a willing worker with a willing employer; promotes compassion for unprotected workers; provides incentives for temporary workers to return to their home countries and families; protects the rights of legal immigrants while not unfairly rewarding those who came here unlawfully or hope to do so. This legislation must also meet the Nation's economic needs and live up to the promise and values of America.

Background on Today's Presidential Action

America is a welcoming nation, and the hard work and strength of our immigrants have made our Nation prosperous. Many immigrants and sons and daughters of immigrants have joined the military to help safeguard the liberty of America. Illegal immigration, however, creates an underclass of workers, afraid and vulnerable to exploitation. Current immigration law can also hinder companies from finding willing workers. The visas now available do not allow employers to fill jobs in many key sectors of our economy. Workers risk their lives in dangerous and illegal border crossings and are consigned to live their lives in the shadows. Without harming the economic security of Americans, reform of our Nation's immigration laws will create a system that is fairer, more consistent, and more compassionate.

• Principles of Immigration Reform -- The President's proposal is based on several basic principles:
  • Protecting the Homeland by Controlling Our Borders: The program should link to efforts to control our border through agreements with countries whose nationals participate in the program. It must support ongoing efforts to enhance homeland security.
  • Serve America's Economy by Matching a Willing Worker with a Willing Employer: When no American worker is available and willing to take a job, the program should provide a labor supply for American employers. It should do so in a way that is clear, streamlined, and efficient so people can find jobs and employers can find workers in a timely manner.
  • Promoting Compassion: The program should grant currently working undocumented aliens a temporary worker status to prevent exploitation. Participants would be issued a temporary worker card that will allow them to travel back and forth between their home and the U.S. without fear of being denied re-entry into America.
  • Providing Incentives for Return to Home Country: The program will require the return of temporary workers to their home country after their period of work has concluded. The legal status granted by this program would last three years, be renewable, and would have an end. During the temporary work period, it should allow movement across the U.S. borders so the worker can maintain roots in their home country.
  • Protecting the Rights of Legal Immigrants: The program should not connect participation to a green card or citizenship. However, it should not preclude a participant from obtaining green card status through the existing process. It should not permit undocumented workers to gain an advantage over those who have followed the rules.
• Temporary Worker Program

  President Bush does not support amnesty because individuals who violate America's laws should not be rewarded for illegal behavior and because amnesty perpetuates illegal immigration. The President proposes that the Federal Government offer temporary worker status to undocumented men and women now employed in the United States and to those in foreign countries who have been offered employment here. The workers under temporary status must pay a one-time fee to register in the program, abide by the rules, and return home after their period of work expires. There would be an opportunity for renewal. In the future, only people outside the U.S. may join the temporary worker program, and there will be an orderly system in place to address the needs of workers and companies.

  • American Workers Come First: Employers must make every reasonable effort to find an American to fill a job before extending job offers to foreign workers.
  • Workplace Enforcement of Immigration Laws: Enforcement against companies that break the law and hire illegal workers will increase.
  • Economic Incentives to Return Home: The U.S. will work with other countries to allow aliens working in the U.S. to receive credit in their nations' retirement systems and will support the creation of tax-preferred savings accounts they can collect when they return to their native countries.
  • Fair and Meaningful Citizenship Process: Some temporary workers will want to remain in America and pursue citizenship. They should not receive an unfair advantage over those who have followed the law, and they will need to be placed in line for citizenship behind those who are already in line. Those who choose the path of citizenship will have an obligation to learn the facts and ideals that have shaped America's history.
  • Reasonable Annual Increase of Legal Immigrants: A reasonable increase in the annual limit of legal immigrants will benefit those who follow the lawful path to citizenship.
• Benefits to America of the Temporary Worker Program
  • A more prosperous economy -- for America. The program would allow workers to find jobs and employers to find workers, quickly and simply.
  • A more secure homeland -- to improve the efficiency and management of all people who cross our borders. It is in the interest of the Nation, and each community, to identify foreign visitors and immigrants and make clear the nature of their intentions.
  • A more compassionate system -- to protect all workers in America with labor laws, the right to change jobs, fair wages, and a healthy work environment.
• Homeland Security and Border Enforcement
  • Border Patrol has increased from a strength of 9,788 on September 11, 2001 to 10,835 on December 1, 2003. Between ports of entry on the northern border, the size of the Border Patrol has tripled to more than 1,000 agents. In addition, the Border Patrol is continuing installation of monitoring devices along the borders to detect illegal activity.
  • The Bush Administration's Operation Tarmac was launched to investigate businesses and workers in the secure areas of domestic airports and ensure immigration law compliance. Since 9/11, DHS has audited 3,640 businesses, examined 259,037 employee records, arrested 1,030 unauthorized workers, and participated in the criminal indictment of 774 individuals.
  • President Bush announced the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), an internet-based system that is improving America's ability to track and monitor foreign students and exchange visitors. Over 870,000 students are registered in SEVIS. Of 285 completed field investigations, 71 aliens were arrested.
  • This week, the US-VISIT program began to digitally collect biometric identifiers to record the entry and exit of aliens who travel into the U.S on a visa. Together with the standard information, this new program will confirm compliance with visa and immigration policies.

###

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Tucson, Arizona)
For Immediate Release
November 28, 2005

Securing America Through Immigration Reform

Today's Presidential Action:

Today, President Bush Outlined The Strategy To Enhance America's Homeland Security Through Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  Addressing the Customs and Border Protection agents stationed in southern Arizona, the President discussed the strategy to secure the border, prevent illegal crossings, and strengthen enforcement of immigration laws.  The President also proposed to take pressure off the border by creating a Temporary Worker Program that meets the economy's demands while rejecting amnesty for those who break America's laws.

Securing The Border Is Essential To Securing The Homeland. Since he took office, the President has increased funding for border security by 60 percent.  Border agents have apprehended and sent home more than 4.5 million people coming into the country illegally – including about 350,000 with criminal records.  The U.S. border must be open to trade and tourism – and closed to criminals, drug dealers, and terrorists. 

The President Will Work With Congress To Pass And Sign Into Law Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  Comprehensive immigration reform is a top priority for the Administration.  Already, Congress is making great strides and has a chance to move forward on a strategy to enforce immigration laws, secure America, and uphold the Nation's deepest values.  The President will continue working with Congress so that he can sign a comprehensive immigration reform bill into law in 2006. 

The President's Strategy For Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Begins With Securing The Border.  To secure the border, the President is pursuing a three-part plan.

First, The U.S. Will Return Every Illegal Entrant Caught Crossing The Southwest Border – With No Exceptions.  More than 85 percent of apprehended illegal immigrants are from Mexico, and most are immediately escorted back across the border within 24 hours.  To prevent them from trying to cross again, the Federal government is using interior repatriation whereby Mexican illegal entrants are returned to their hometowns, making it more difficult for them to attempt another crossing.  This approach is showing great promise.  In a West Arizona desert pilot program, nearly 35,000 illegal immigrants were returned to Mexico through interior repatriation, and only about 8 percent turned up trying to cross the border in that sector again.  The Administration is working to expand interior repatriation to ensure that when those who violate the country's immigration laws are sent home, they stay home.

• The Administration Is Ending The Practice Of "Catch And Release."  Because detention facilities lack bed space, most non-Mexican illegal immigrants apprehended are released and directed to return for a court appearance.  However, 75 percent fail to show.  Last year, only 30,000 of the 160,000 non-Mexicans caught coming across our Southwest border were sent home.  Addressing this problem, the President has signed legislation increasing the number of beds in detention facilities by more than 10 percent over the next year.  The Federal government is also using "expedited removal" to detain, place into streamlined judicial proceedings, and deport non-Mexican illegal immigrants in an average of 32 days – almost three times faster than the usual procedure.  Last year, more than 20,000 non-Mexicans caught crossing the border between Laredo and Tucson were deported using expedited removal.  The use of expedited removal is now being expanded across the entire Southwest border.  When illegal immigrants know they will be caught and sent home, they will be less likely to cross illegally in the first place. 

• The Administration Is Taking Further Steps To Accelerate The Removal Process.  The U.S. is pressing foreign governments to take back their citizens more promptly, while streamlining bureaucracy and increasing the number of flights carrying illegal immigrants home.  Testing these steps, "Operation Texas Hold 'Em" along the Rio Grande Valley of the Texas Border recently resulted in Brazilian illegal immigration dropping by 90 percent in the Rio Grande Valley – and by 50 percent across the entire border.  These efforts are helping change a policy of "catch and release" to a policy of "catch and return."

Second, The Administration Will Work With Congress To Reform Immigration Laws.   The President is seeking to eliminate senseless rules that require the government to release illegal immigrants if their home countries do not take them back in a set period of time.  Among those the government has been forced to release are murderers, rapists, child molesters, and other violent criminals. The President is also working with Congress to address the cycle of endless litigation that clogs immigration courts, rewards illegal behavior, and delays justice for immigrants with legitimate claims.  Lawsuits and red tape must not stand in the way of protecting the American people.

Third, The Federal Government Will Act To Stop People From Illegally Crossing The Border In The First Place.  The Administration is increasing manpower, technology, and infrastructure at the Nation's borders, and integrating these resources in innovative ways. 

• Increasing Manpower.  Since 2001, 1,900 Border Patrol agents have been added, and the President has signed legislation allowing the addition of another 1,000 agents in the year ahead.  When the hiring is completed, the Border Patrol will have been enlarged by about 3,000 agents – from about 9,500 when the President took office to about 12,500 next year.  This is an increase of more than 30 percent.

• Deploying New Technology.  The Administration is giving Border Patrol agents the tools to expand their reach and effectiveness including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and infrared cameras.  In Tucson, agents using UAVs to patrol the border have improved their interception of illegal immigrants and drugs on the border.  Legislation signed by the President is providing $139 million to further upgrade technology and bring a more unified, systematic approach to border enforcement.

• Constructing Physical Barriers To Entry.  The President has signed legislation providing $70 million to install and improve protective infrastructure across the border.  In rural areas, the government is constructing new patrol roads to give agents better access to the border and new vehicle barriers to keep illegal immigrants from driving across.  In urban areas, the government is expanding fencing to shut down human smuggling corridors.  The Administration recently authorized the completion of a 14-mile barrier near San Diego.  Once held up by litigation, this project is vital to helping border agents do their jobs and make those who live near the border more secure.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Requires Improved Enforcement Of Immigration Laws Within The United States.  Catching and deporting illegal immigrants along the border is only part of protecting the American people.  Our immigration laws must be enforced throughout America. 

The Federal Government Is Improving Worksite Enforcement.  The President has signed legislation that more than doubles the resources dedicated to worksite enforcement.  The government is placing a special focus on enforcement at critical infrastructure.  This year, Operation Rollback – the largest worksite enforcement case in American history – resulted in the arrest of hundreds of illegal immigrants, criminal convictions against a dozen employers, and a multi-million dollar payment from one of America's largest businesses.  Worksite enforcement is critical to the success of immigration reform. 

To Help Businesses Comply With Immigration Laws, The Government Is Addressing Document Fraud.  Even the most diligent employers find it difficult to spot forged employment documents and verify workers' legal status.  So the Administration is expanding the Basic Pilot program enabling businesses to screen the employment eligibility of new hires against Federal records.  Since 2001, this program has expanded from only six states to now being available nationwide. The Administration will work with Congress to continue to improve employment verification.

The President Has Committed The Resources Necessary To Enforce Immigration Laws.  Since 2001, the Administration has increased funding for interior enforcement by 44 percent; increased the number of immigration and customs investigators by 14 percent; and new funding will allow for an additional 400 immigration enforcement agents and 250 criminal investigators.  These skilled officers are getting results.  In Arizona alone, 2,300 people have been prosecuted for smuggling drugs, guns, and illegal immigrants across the border.  Operation Community Shield has resulted in the arrest of nearly 1,400 illegal immigrant gang members – including hundreds of members of violent gangs like "MS-13."  Since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), agents have apprehended nearly 27,000 illegal immigrant fugitives.  

As Part Of Comprehensive Immigration Reform, The President Has Proposed The Creation Of A New Temporary Worker Program.  To match foreign workers with American employers for jobs that no American is willing to take, temporary workers will be able to register for legal status for a fixed time period and then be required to return home.  This plan meets the needs of a growing economy, allows honest workers to provide for their families while respecting the law, and relieves pressure on the border.  By reducing the flow of illegal immigrants, law enforcement can focus on those who mean this country harm.  To improve worksite enforcement, the plan creates tamper-proof I.D. cards for every legal temporary worker. 

A Temporary Worker Program Would Not Provide Amnesty.  The program does not create an automatic path to citizenship or provide amnesty.  The President opposes amnesty because rewarding those who break the law would encourage more illegal entrants and increase pressure on the border.  A Temporary Worker Program, by contrast, would promote legal immigration and decrease pressure on the border.  The President supports increasing the annual number of green cards, but for the sake of justice and security, the President will not sign an immigration bill that includes amnesty. 

By Reforming Immigration Laws, The United States Will Preserve The Promise Of America.  Immigrants play a vital role in strengthening American democracy.  This is a land in which foreigners who respect the laws are welcomed as contributors to American culture – not feared as threats.  The United States has been strengthened by generations of immigrants who became Americans through patience, hard work, and assimilation.  Like generations of immigrants that have come before them, every new citizen has an obligation to learn this Nation's customs and values.  At the same time, America will fulfill its obligation to give each citizen a chance to realize the American dream.  By enforcing immigration laws, the Federal government is protecting the promise of a tolerant, welcoming America and preserving opportunity for all. 

[Peach]

By 2004, the annual inflow of foreign-born persons was down 24% from its all-time high in 2000, according to the Pew Hispanic Center analysis of multiple datasets collected by the Census Bureau and other government agencies.

http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=53

And contrary to claims the administration's investigation and arrests of employers hiring illegals is down from the Clinton administration, this table tells a different story. Credit RedBloodedAmerican for finding this:

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1632888/posts?page=187#187

Note that I don't think anyone is claiming that nothing should be done, but the hysterics claiming that nothing is being done couldn't be more wrong.

[Alia]

Thank you for posting this.

[ckilmer]

the pubbies have a problem. their choices like those of the people on flight
93 are between certain death and near certain death.

If they allow the illegals citizenship--the illegal/legals will do what they did after 1986: vote democratic and tip the country to a democratic majority as they have done in california and that because after 1993 in California many mexicans began voting in california to preserve gov bennies--for which the dems excel. There won't be social security benefit for Americans of retirement age from the illegals/legals because they will suck up what ever they put into the economy--as they are now. They won't yield a net gain. ie they won't pay for anyone's social security.

Everyone but everyone who has ever been to any government building that dispenses anything from health care to drivers lisences can't help but notice that the place is swamped with foreigners. Basically the welfare state system set up in the 1960's is being totally gamed by foreigners.

If the president gets his way he will demoralize the republicans bringing on the effects of the 1992 & 1996 elections. There may not even be a third party but when W builds in a reversal of the fortunes of the war of 1848--it creates a kind of passivity in people when they see their leaders commit them to the status of world historical losers.

If Bush decides to put up a wall and expel the illegals then there is a chance to preserve Republican majorities. It would be helpful to promise that the USA will kill the cost of water desalination and transport so as to make it economically possible to turn the deserts 1000 miles from any desert seacoast -- green. (this would increase the habitable size of the USA by a third and double the habitable size of Mexico.)This work is already ongoing and will be accomplished in five years or so--or in about the same time frame that GM promises to have a cost effective fuel cell car. For GM as it is for the GOP its do or die time.

The chief difference between the pubbies current predicament and flight 93 is that they are currently in the cockpit. (if you presume that bush is a republican or at least more of a republican than a bilderburger.)

The point here is that if these guys cannot act like loyal americans at least they can act like republicans. ie people who have a stake in the continuity of the republican party.

Since they are not doing this the republicans in the white house and senate all need to be smacked on both sides of the face and kicked in the but.

[SJackson]

Note that I don't think anyone is claiming that nothing should be done, but the hysterics claiming that nothing is being done couldn't be more wrong.

Yes, there've been some efforts, but they've failed. Last night's speach was an acknowledgement of that.

[SJackson]

At least by Republicans, this problem could have been addressed on a non-political basis. As to the cost of social services, from welfare, including the earned income tax credit for non-citizens in that, to schools to health care to social security, I'd like to think that will be addressed, but I doubt it.

[Marine Inspector]

Securing Our Borders Is The Basic Responsibility Of A Sovereign Nation And An Urgent Requirement Of Our National Security.

It took the man 5 years to figure this out!

[gubamyster]

ping

[ckilmer]

There are a lot more consequences than just to the welfare system of defeating america's christian conservatives.

[Thorin]

>>>>>>>Last night's speach was an acknowledgement of that.

Last night's speech was a snow job, to placate the base so that Bush can get what he really wants, amnesty plus an enormous annual increase in legal immigration from the Third World. What Bush wants would be as disastrous for America as the 1965 Immigration Act has been, maybe more so.

[daguberment]

Securing Our Borders Is The Basic Responsibility Of A Sovereign Nation And An Urgent Requirement Of Our National Security.

That is a bold stance. No, it didn't take the Pres. 5 years to figure this out. It took seething anger across the nation and May 1st to prompt some public attention from him. Otherwise, it would be his favored status quo. And we may well end up with the status quo if we fail to put continued pressure on congress.

[Marine Inspector]

That is a bold stance.

More like hot air.