What The President Wants

On May 3, 2007, President George W. Bush attended a meeting on immigration and assimilation Asamblea de Iglesias Cristianas, Centro Evangelistico in Washington, D.C. It has been a major issue among the current presidency to act in some way or another on this issue of immigration. It seems as if little, if anything, has been done. Little progress has seem to be made and has disappointed its Republican supporters and immigrants. President Bush has a little over a year and half in office before someone new takes over the administration. Action needs to be taken now by the President and Congress with regards to this issue.

At this meeting on May 3, President Bush said,

"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."
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/immigration/)


April 9, 2007, President Bush visited the Arizona border to discuss his plans for implementing a new immigration reform. He proposed 5 key steps of his plan:

1. Securing the Border. There needs to be an increase of manpower, infrastructure, and technology along the border. 18,000 Border Patrol agents will be in active service by 2008.
2. Creating A Temporary Worker Program. This will take pressure off securing the border, according to President Bush. People will be less tempted to cross the border by illegal means if there is an incentive to go through a proper legal process.
3. Holding Employers Accountable For The Workers They Hire. President Bush wants to rise the levels of accountability of employers to accurately report to the government who they are hiring. Many employers violate the law and hire illegal immigrants at lower wages and do not pay the appropriate taxes.
4. Resolving The Status Of The Millions Of Illegal Immigrants Already In The Country. It is very difficult to track the number of illegal immigrants who cross into the United States each year. So many have already established homes and families and have secured careers. President Bush, however, opposes the idea of granting immediate amnesty to these people who have not gone through the proper legal process to live in the U.S. legally. He believes that in order for an illegal immigrant to remain in the U.S. he or she must pay some kind of penalty, pay legitimate taxes, acquire a job, and learn English.
5. Finding New Ways To Help Newcomers Assimilate Into Our Society. President Bush it is essential that there is a positive assimilation of immigrants into American society.

These five parts of President Bush’s immigration reform are nothing new, but may be soon put into action. This is what the President foresees as being the best solution of the immigration issue in the U.S. as a way to maintain justice and rule of law.