    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [April 9, 2007]
    [Pages 395-396]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks During a Tour of the Border and an Exchange With Reporters in
    Yuma, Arizona
    April 9, 2007

        The President. You know, it's interesting, this is the spot I came
    to in May of 2006. Colburn told me then
    that we were in the process of developing a modernization strategy. None
    of this existed prior to my arrival in May. And they told me they were
    developing a strategy that would prevent people from charging across to
    try to get to the neighborhood over here, and that strategy has been
    implemented.
        It is a combination of roads, lighting, and fencing, all aiming at
    making sure that we have a border that's protected. And it's amazing the
    progress that's been made. And we have come back to this spot because
    it's where I was the last time. And I was most impressed by your
    strategy, even more impressed by the fact that it's now being
    implemented. And the men have reported that the number of arrests are
    down, which is an indication that fewer people are trying to cross the
    border at this part of--along the border. And so we're making some
    pretty good progress.
        And the reason we've come here is to show the American people that
    the plan that we've announced is now being implemented. And there is
    still more work to be done, but nevertheless, a lot of progress is being
    made. I'm going to talk a little bit later about making sure that we
    complete the strategy by having a comprehensive immigration bill. I will
    save my words until then. But in the meantime, I wanted

    [[Page 396]]

    you to see the progress--see firsthand the progress that we're making
    here on the border.
        Anyway, thank you for your time.

    U.S. Border Patrol

        Q. What most impresses you, Mr. President?
        The President. The hard work being done.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:36 a.m. at the Yuma Sector, U.S. Border
    Patrol. In his remarks, he referred to Ronald S. Colburn, chief patrol
    agent, Yuma Sector, U.S. Border Patrol. The Office of the Press
    Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.
    A portion of these remarks could not be verified because the tape was
    incomplete.