[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
[March 23, 2006]
[Page 559]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following a Meeting on Immigration Reform
March 23, 2006

    I've just had a very constructive and important dialog with members 
of the agricultural community, the faith community, the concerned 
citizen community about immigration. Ours is a nation of law, and ours 
is a nation of immigrants, and we believe that we can have rational, 
important immigration policy that's based upon law and reflects our deep 
desire to be a compassionate and decent nation.
    Our Government must enforce our borders; we've got plans in place to 
do so. But part of enforcing our borders is to have a guest-worker 
program that encourages people to register their presence so that we 
know who they are, and says to them, ``If you're doing a job an American 
won't do, you're welcome here, for a period of time, to do that job.''
    The immigration debate is a vital debate for our country. It's 
important that we have a serious debate, one that discusses the issues. 
But I urge Members of Congress and I urge people who like to comment on 
this issue to make sure the rhetoric is in accord with our traditions. I 
look around the table and I recognize that we've got people from 
different backgrounds, different heritages. We all may have different 
family histories, but we all sit around this table as Americans.
    And therefore, when we conduct this debate, it must be done in a 
civil way. It must be done in a way that brings dignity to the process. 
It must be done in a way that doesn't pit one group of people against 
another. It must be done in a way that recognizes our history. I think 
now is the time for the United States Congress to act to get an 
immigration plan that is comprehensive and rational and achieves 
important objectives.
    So I want to welcome you all for being here. I want to thank you 
very much for your involvement in this vital issue. I've assured folks 
here at the table that I will continue to speak out on the issue. I feel 
passionately about the need for our country to conduct themselves with 
dignity and, at the same time, enforce our border and treat people here 
with respect.
    Thank you all very much.

Note: The President spoke at 10:37 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of these remarks.