    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [June 9, 2007]
    [Pages 711-713]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    June 9, 2007

        Good morning. This week, I am traveling in Europe, where I am
    meeting with world leaders to discuss ways to address challenges like
    climate change, to work together to combat diseases like malaria and
    HIV/AIDS, and help advance freedom throughout the world.
        Back at home, America is engaged in an important discussion about
    immigration. Most Americans agree that the 1986 immigration law failed.
    It failed because it did not secure our border; it did not include tough
    worksite enforcement; it did not help people assimilate; and it
    encouraged more people to come here illegally. Today, illegal
    immigration is supported by criminal enterprises dedicated to document
    forgery, human trafficking, and labor exploitation. This is
    unacceptable, and we need to fix it in a way that honors our finest
    traditions.
        People have strong feelings on this issue. I believe we can express
    our feelings, disagree on certain elements, and still come together on a
    solution. We can accomplish that through the bipartisan Senate bill. It
    is based on months of negotiation. The result is legislation that puts
    border security first, establishes a temporary-worker program to meet
    the legitimate needs of our growing economy, sets up a mandatory system
    for verifying employment eligibility, and resolves the status of the
    estimated 12 million people who are here illegally. If this bill becomes
    law, America will finally have in place a system that addresses all
    these problems and can be adjusted to address future problems that may
    arise.
        I understand the skepticism some Members of Congress have regarding
    certain aspects of this legislation. Like any legislation, this bill is
    not perfect. And like many Senators, I believe the bill will need to be
    further improved along the way before it becomes law. In the heat of the
    debate,

    [[Page 712]]

    critics and supporters can sometimes talk past each other, so I want to
    speak to Members about some of the concerns I have heard.
        I know some of you doubt that the Federal Government will make good
    on the border security and enforcement commitments in this bill. My
    administration is determined to learn from the mistakes of the past
    decades. And that is why we are now committing more resources than ever
    before to border security, doubling the number of Border Patrol agents,
    building hundreds of miles of fencing, and employing advanced
    technology, from infrared sensors to unmanned aerial vehicles. The bill
    builds on this progress by requiring that we meet border security
    objectives before certain other provisions can take effect.
        This bill also addresses other problems with the 1986 reform. Unlike
    the 1986 law, this bill includes a temporary-worker program to ensure
    that those who come here to work do so in a legal and orderly way.
    Unlike the 1986 law, this bill gives honest employers the tools they
    need to ensure that they are hiring legal workers, beginning with a
    tamper-resistant identity card. Businesses that knowingly hire illegal
    aliens will be punished. Workers who come here illegally will be sent
    home. And unlike the 1986 law, this bill does not grant amnesty for
    those who are already here.
        Amnesty is forgiveness with no penalty for people who have broken
    our laws to get here. In contrast, this bill requires illegal workers to
    pay a fine, register with the Government, undergo background checks, pay
    their back taxes, and hold a steady job. And if at the end of 8 years
    they want to apply for a green card, they will have to pay an additional
    substantial fine, show they have learned English, and return to their
    home country so they can apply from there. In short, they will have to
    prove themselves worthy of this great land.
        I also want to say a word to those in Congress concerned about
    family unification. This bill will create a merit-based point system
    that recognizes the importance of family ties by granting points to some
    applicants who have family members here legally. More than half of new
    green cards will go to family members. Immigrants will be allowed to
    bring in their spouses and minor children, and we will clear the backlog
    for millions of people who have been waiting patiently in line.
        Securing the border and upholding family values are not partisan
    concerns; they are important to all Americans. They must be addressed,
    and this bill is the best way to do it. I urge Senator Reid to act quickly to bring this bill back to the Senate
    floor for a vote, and I urge Senators from both parties to support it.
    The immigration debate has divided too many Americans. By coming
    together, we can build an immigration system worthy of this great
    Nation, one that keeps us safe and prosperous, welcomes dreamers and
    doers from across the globe, and trusts in our country's genius for
    making us all Americans, one nation under God.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:30 a.m. on June 8 in Heiligendamm,
    Germany, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m., e.d.t., on June 9. The transcript
    was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on June 8, but
    was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of the Press
    Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this address.

    [[Page 713]]