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Skriven 2007-05-03 23:30:54 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0705032) for Thu, 2007 May 3
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President Bush Discusses Comprehensive Immigration Reform with Clergy in
Washington, D.C.
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 3, 2007

President Bush Discusses Comprehensive Immigration Reform with Clergy in
Washington, D.C. Asamblea de Iglesias Cristianas, Centro Evangelistico
Washington, D.C

˙ /news/releases/2007/05/20070503-2.wm.v.html ˙˙Presidential Remarks
˙˙Audio ˙˙En Espa¤ol

˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: Immigration

11:26 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: I want to thank my fellow Americans for joining me today to
discuss a very important issue, and that is immigration.

In my discussions I've talked to clergy that recognize that our country
needs a comprehensive immigration reform, and part of that is to help
people learn English. I've talked to people who work for corporate America
-- Andy works for Marriott International, a corporation that understands
that it's very helpful, it's in their interest to help people assimilate.

I've talked to Emilio, who works for the government, he's the head of the
old INS, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services. He has the opportunity
often to swear in new citizens, and he sees the great -- the great hope
that people have. I've talked to church workers who are reaching out in
their communities to help people learn the benefits of the language, the
English language. And thank you for tutoring and being kind.

I've talked to people that are raising families that have come from other
countries, that are now U.S. citizens and understand the benefit of what it
means to have learned English. Francisco said, when you learn English,
doors open up for you. And I appreciate that beautiful sentiment, because
it's true.

I strongly support comprehensive immigration reform. One aspect of
comprehensive immigration reform is to help people assimilate into America.
Part of that is to have a comprehensive strategy to help people learn the
English language and to learn the history and traditions of the United
States. Comprehensive immigration reform requires us to uphold law and
enforce our borders in a humane way.

Comprehensive immigration reform means that you need a temporary worker
program for workers who will be coming into our country. It's a program
that treats people with respect, a program that helps meet the economic
needs of our country. Comprehensive immigration reform means that employers
would have to obey the law. Comprehensive immigration reform means that
we've got to be humane about the nearly 11 or 12 million people who are
already here. As I said in a speech down in Miami, we need to treat these
people not with amnesty, and not with animosity. So it's got to be a
rational way forward.

I'm looking forward to working with both Democrats and Republicans to get a
comprehensive immigration bill done this year. We have a good chance to get
it done. It's important for our fellow citizens to understand comprehensive
immigration reform is in the nation's interest. And I'll continue working
with members of Congress to encourage them to do the hard work necessary to
make sure a system that is not working is reformed in a way that meets our
national needs and listens to our national heart. After all, America is a
land of immigrants. Immigration helps renew our soul. It helps redefine our
spirit in a positive way.

And I'm so proud to be with you and I thank you for your time.

END 11:29 A.M. EDT

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