[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
[May 3, 2007]
[Pages 534-535]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following a Meeting on Immigration Reform
May 3, 2007

    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've worked 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 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. And 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 we 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 have got 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.
    And 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

[[Page 535]]

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. 
Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 11:26 a.m. at the Asamblea de Iglesias 
Cristianas, Centro Evangelistico. In his remarks, he referred to Andy 
Chaves, youth programs director and manager of workforce effectiveness 
and diversity, Marriott International, Inc.; Emilio T. Gonzalez, 
director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; and Francisco Lara, 
heavy equipment operator, Covanta Energy. The Office of the Press 
Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.