[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 20 (Monday, May 21, 2007)]
[Pages 648-649]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

[[Page 649]]

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. 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 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.