    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [March 19, 2002]
    [Pages 439-440]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Cabinet Meeting
    March 19, 2002

        Thank you all for coming. We've had a very good Cabinet meeting. I
    want to thank my members of the Cabinet for discussing

    [[Page 440]]

    a variety of topics. I heard from the Secretary of State about the Vice President's visit
    and the Zinni mission. So we're making
    progress. We heard, of course, from the Secretary of Defense about our progress in the war on terror, and I
    appreciate his leadership and the bravery of the military.
        We talked about a lot of other issues. One thing I want to urge the
    Senate to do is to pass 245(i). This bill passed the House, and it now
    needs to pass the Senate. It is a bill which enhances our border
    security and, at the same time, says that if someone's living here
    legally, they won't have to leave the country in order to stay with
    their family. In other words, they won't have to leave the country,
    apply, and then come back to be with their family. We believe in family
    values. We believe good policy keeps families together. The House agreed
    with us, and the Senate ought to act. The Senate ought to get this done
    and particularly soon.
        I'm going to Mexico. I want to show our friends the Mexicans that we
    are compassionate about people who live here on a legal basis, that we
    don't disrupt the families for people who are here legally. So I think
    it's going to require some leadership in the Senate, and I look forward
    to seeing the Senate get this done soon.
        And I thank you all for coming today.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:08 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle
    East Gen. Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret.); and section 245(i) of the
    Immigration and Nationality Act, which expired April 30, 2001. A tape
    was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.