Excerpts of Bush Address on immigration, as released by the White House

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

On Bush's ideas for immigration overhaul:

"We are a nation of laws, and we must enforce our laws. We are also a nation of immigrants, and we must uphold that tradition, which has strengthened our country in so many ways. These are not contradictory goals. America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time. We will fix the problems created by illegal immigration, and we will deliver a system that is secure, orderly, and fair."

On border security:

"Since I became president, we have increased funding for border security by 66 percent and expanded the Border Patrol from about 9,000 to 12,000 agents. ... We have apprehended and sent home about 6 million people entering America illegally.

"Despite this progress, we do not yet have full control of the border, and I am determined to change that. Tonight I am calling on Congress to provide funding for dramatic improvements in manpower and technology at the border."

On a temporary worker program:

"The reality is that there are many people on the other side of our border who will do anything to come to America to work and build a better life. They walk across miles of desert in the summer heat, or hide in the back of 18-wheelers to reach our country. This creates enormous pressure on our border that walls and patrols alone will not stop. To secure the border effectively we must reduce the numbers of people trying to sneak across."

On enforcement:

"We need to hold employers to account for the workers they hire. It is against the law to hire someone who is in this country illegally. Yet businesses often cannot verify the legal status of their employees because of the widespread problem of document fraud. Therefore, comprehensive immigration reform must include a better system for verifying documents and work eligibility. ...

"A tamper-proof card would help us enforce the law and leave employers with no excuse for violating it. And by making it harder for illegal immigrants to find work in our country, we would discourage people from crossing the border illegally in the first place."

On amnesty:

"We must face the reality that millions of illegal immigrants are already here. They should not be given an automatic path to citizenship. This is amnesty, and I oppose it. Amnesty would be unfair to those who are here lawfully and it would invite further waves of illegal immigration."

On assimilation:

"We must honor the great American tradition of the melting pot, which has made us one nation out of many peoples. 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."

On the tone of the debate:

"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."

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

where is the new part?

Daniel

:energetic:

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

where is the new part?

He's saying no path to citizenship for illegals. This was his original stand but it is at odds with the Senate Bill. After the Senate Bill came out, he implied he would bend on that point. It appears now that his low approval ratings among Republicans has made him realize he can not do that.

Nothing else, best I can tell, is new.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

where is the new part?

He's saying no path to citizenship for illegals. This was his original stand but it is at odds with the Senate Bill. After the Senate Bill came out, he implied he would bend on that point. It appears now that his low approval ratings among Republicans has made him realize he can not do that.

Nothing else, best I can tell, is new.

boy, talk about squeezing some water out of petrified wood! can you twist that any more AS?

Daniel

:energetic:

[almaty 19]

where is the new part?

He's saying no path to citizenship for illegals. This was his original stand but it is at odds with the Senate Bill. After the Senate Bill came out, he implied he would bend on that point. It appears now that his low approval ratings among Republicans has made him realize he can not do that.

Nothing else, best I can tell, is new.

where is the part for us arijit?

[canuhandleit 0]

If some type of legal path to residency isn't available, the 12 million illegals WILL NOT, for the most part, leave no matter how tough it gets. There are always ways around the restrictions placed, that's for sure.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

where is the new part?

He's saying no path to citizenship for illegals. This was his original stand but it is at odds with the Senate Bill. After the Senate Bill came out, he implied he would bend on that point. It appears now that his low approval ratings among Republicans has made him realize he can not do that.

Nothing else, best I can tell, is new.

where is the part for us arijit?

The green cards for siblings and adult children is part of CIRA, a bill in the Senate. I'm not sure if the President backs that or not. My guess is, if he gets his guest worker program he'll back anything.

canuhandleit- very good point. I agree.

[I'm Gone 60]

I don't believe any of it except that he wants to give everyone already here a free pass. Congress passes the bill he wants everyone gets to stay legally and they never follow up on the rest. Like Lucy with Charlie Brown and the football. He going to pull it away when enforcement goes to kick it. He's only in office for two more years, so who's to say the next guy is going to follow up on any of his promises, like the National Guard on the border, but everyone staying is not just a promise, it's then law.

[dalegg 143]

I don't know guys, but after tonight's speech I just have a feeling everything is finally going to be alright

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I don't know guys, but after tonight's speech I just have a feeling everything is finally going to be alright

[I'm Gone 60]

I don't know guys, but after tonight's speech I just have a feeling everything is finally going to be alright

That's it drink the Kool-Aid. LOL

[terri o'neale 0]

I don't know guys, but after tonight's speech I just have a feeling everything is finally going to be alright

Really? Or were you being vecious?

[choji 0]

On Bush's ideas for immigration overhaul:

"A tamper-proof card would help us enforce the law

What would that be then, I ask myself - a huge "I" (for immigrant) tattooed on the forehead of every immigrant.

Will everybody have to fill in papers, pay for and stand in line for yet another "über"- GC?

[elizabeth&hisham 0]

Tamper-proof...? Good luck.

Digital tattoos, perhaps?

E

[iceyspots 0]

teathers...yes...teathers... or a permanent implant that can be located with GPS..

BTW - Thanks for the fill in for those who didnt watch... O Mr Agent.