[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 18 (Monday, May 7, 2007)]
[Pages 577-578]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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.; and Francisco Lara, heavy 
equipment operator, Covanta Energy. The Office of the Press Secretary 
also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.

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