[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
[May 17, 2007]
[Pages 597-598]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on Immigration Reform
May 17, 2007

    Secretary Gutierrez and Secretary 
Chertoff have just briefed me about the 
negotiations on the comprehensive immigration bill that just concluded 
in the Senate. I want to thank, first of all, my Secretaries for being 
involved in the process, being engaged in this important issue, and 
helping move the process forward. I congratulate Members of the Senate, 
both political parties, who decided it was time to work together to come 
up with a comprehensive immigration bill that addresses a major problem 
facing our country. After weeks of long work, these negotiations came to 
a successful conclusion.
    I want to thank the Members of the Senate who worked hard. I 
appreciate the leadership shown on both sides of the aisle. As I reflect 
upon this important accomplishment, important first step toward a 
comprehensive immigration bill, it reminds me of how much the Americans 
appreciate the fact that we can work together--when we work together, 
that they see positive things.
    Immigration is a tough issue for a lot of Americans. It's a--the 
agreement reached today is one that will help enforce our borders, but 
equally importantly, it will treat people with respect. This is a bill 
where people who live here in our country

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will be treated without amnesty, but without animosity.
    And so I want to thank you all very much for representing the White 
House. I thank the Senators for working hard. I look forward to a good 
vote out of the United States Senate as quickly as Leader Reid can get the bill moving. And then of course we look 
forward to working with the House of Representatives to take this first 
step and convert it into a successful second step. I really am anxious 
to sign a comprehensive immigration bill as soon as I possibly can. 
Today we took a good step toward that direction.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 3:25 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to S. 1348. The Office of the Press 
Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.